Archive · 12 Sep 2026
Modi-Xi Talks To Cover Border, Trade, Visas And Investment
India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi and China's President Xi Jinping are meeting during the BRICS summit.
They will talk about how to keep peace along their disputed border.
India and China have different views about the border and Arunachal Pradesh.
India may also discuss a large dam project China plans to build on the Brahmaputra River.
India is concerned about how the project could affect areas downstream.
The leaders may discuss trade, business visas and Chinese investment in India.
India wants better access for its products and more reliable supplies from China.
The meeting may help both countries manage disagreements and improve their relationship.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping are expected to discuss India-China ties during Saturday evening talks on the sidelines of the BRICS summit.
The Line of Actual Control, border stability and recent tensions in Arunachal Pradesh are expected to remain central issues.
India may raise concerns about China's planned $137 billion Brahmaputra hydropower project and seek greater transparency and information-sharing.
Economic discussions are expected to cover trade imbalance, market access, supply-chain reliability, visas and Chinese investments in India.
The meeting could seek a more durable framework for managing differences and moving ties beyond short-term stabilisation.
- Who
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
- What
- Bilateral talks covering border management, trade, investment, visas and broader India-China relations.
- When
- Saturday evening, on the sidelines of the BRICS summit.
- Where
- India, during the BRICS summit; the specific meeting venue is not stated.
- Why
- To consolidate the recent stabilisation in ties, address differences and build more predictable communication and cooperation.
India's Position
China's Position
How border issues affect ties
India's Position
India says the state of bilateral relations cannot be separated from developments along the border.
China's Position
China has traditionally argued that the boundary question should be handled separately from the broader relationship.
Arunachal Pradesh and place names
India's Position
India maintains that Arunachal Pradesh is an inalienable and integral part of the country.
China's Position
China has repeatedly objected to India's moves to standardise the names of locations in Arunachal Pradesh.
- Border focus
- The Line of Actual Control and maintaining peace and tranquillity are expected to be key issues.
- Arunachal Pradesh
- India calls the state an integral part of the country, while China objects to India's naming of locations there.
- Brahmaputra project
- China's proposed upper-Brahmaputra hydropower project is reportedly estimated at around $137 billion.
- Trade concerns
- India is expected to raise the trade imbalance, market access and supply-chain reliability.
- Business engagement
- Visa restrictions, Chinese investment approvals and access to machinery and components may be discussed.
- Recent easing
- Some investment restrictions have reportedly been eased in electronics, capital goods and solar cells.
- Broader objective
- The talks could seek mechanisms for managing differences while strengthening communication and cooperation.