Archive · 11 Sep 2026
Xi Jinping to Visit India for BRICS Summit
Chinese President Xi Jinping is going to India for an important BRICS meeting.
The meeting will happen in New Delhi on September 12 and 13, 2026.
It will be Xi’s first visit to India in nearly seven years.
He last visited India in 2019 to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Xi and Modi are expected to talk separately during the summit.
India and China have been trying to improve their relationship after a serious border clash in 2020.
Their officials have also discussed managing the border and expanding cooperation.
BRICS countries will discuss trade, technology, climate change and global problems.
The summit is taking place while conflicts in West Asia and Ukraine are affecting international relations.
Chinese President Xi Jinping will attend the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on September 12-13, 2026.
The visit will be Xi’s first trip to India in nearly seven years, following his 2019 meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Xi and Modi are expected to hold talks on the summit’s sidelines as both countries seek to stabilize bilateral relations.
The visit follows efforts to improve ties after the 2020 Galwan Valley and Eastern Ladakh border clashes.
BRICS discussions are expected to cover trade, payment systems, technology, climate change and major international issues.
- Who
- Chinese President Xi Jinping, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and leaders of the BRICS countries.
- What
- Xi Jinping will visit India to attend the 18th BRICS Summit and is expected to meet Modi.
- When
- September 12-13, 2026; the visit will be Xi’s first to India in nearly seven years.
- Where
- New Delhi, India.
- Why
- To participate in the BRICS summit, strengthen cooperation among emerging economies and support efforts to stabilize India-China relations.
Engagement and Cooperation
Caution and Strategic Differences
Direction of India-China relations
Engagement and Cooperation
The visit, recent official talks and resumed exchanges are presented as signs that both countries are working to stabilize and improve relations.
Caution and Strategic Differences
The border dispute and regional security disagreements remain unresolved, so the summit is also being watched for signs of continuing tensions.
Economic relationship
Engagement and Cooperation
Bilateral trade rose to a reported record $155 billion, and both countries have discussed expanding engagement.
Caution and Strategic Differences
Chinese companies’ proposed investments in India reportedly face additional scrutiny, particularly in sophisticated manufacturing and high-technology sectors.
BRICS’ international role
Engagement and Cooperation
Chinese officials say Xi’s participation shows Beijing’s commitment to BRICS and to a more inclusive global order.
Caution and Strategic Differences
The summit is occurring amid the West Asia conflict, the Russia-Ukraine war and broader geopolitical instability, which could complicate cooperation.
- Summit
- 18th BRICS Summit
- Dates
- September 12-13, 2026
- Host
- India, the current BRICS chair
- Xi’s last India visit
- 2019, for an informal summit with Narendra Modi in Mamallapuram near Chennai
- Bilateral context
- India-China relations deteriorated after the 2020 Galwan Valley and Eastern Ladakh border clashes, followed by efforts to improve ties
- Expected bilateral meeting
- Xi Jinping and Narendra Modi are expected to hold talks on the summit’s sidelines
- Reported trade figure
- Bilateral trade reached a record $155 billion last year, according to Chinese customs data
Sources
Suspense Over: Chinese President Xi to Visit India for BRICS Summit
Chinese President Xi to visit India for BRICS summit
It's certain: Xi to visit India for BRICS Summit
It's official: Xi Jinping will attend BRICS Summit in New Delhi
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