Xi’s India Visit Puts BRICS Diplomacy in Focus

New Delhi , September 10, 2026 The BRICS summit in New Delhi is drawing attention not only for its multilateral agenda but also for the diplomatic significance of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s expected arrival. With the summit approaching, Beijing had yet to formally confirm his travel plans, while uncertainty remained over whether Xi would meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Asked about the Chinese president’s schedule, China’s foreign ministry told AFP that they “don't have any official information” regarding his plans. If Xi attends, the visit would mark his first trip to India in seven years and could become an important moment in efforts by the two countries to cautiously rebuild engagement after years of strained ties. A possible Modi-Xi meeting would carry particular weight. India and China have taken steps in recent years to ease tensions and restore dialogue, but significant differences remain. Their leaders’ interaction on the sidelines of the BRICS summit could therefore offer an opportunity to assess the next phase of bilateral relations. The roots of the strained relationship go back decades, including the 1962 India-China war. Tensions escalated sharply again after the 2020 Galwan Valley clash, in which 20 Indian soldiers and four Chinese soldiers were killed. The confrontation left a deep trust deficit that continues to influence ties between the two countries. Xi’s expected presence in New Delhi therefore gives the summit an added diplomatic dimension. Beyond the BRICS discussions, attention will centre on the possibility of direct engagement between Xi and Modi and whether their interaction can help sustain the cautious improvement in India-China relations.