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Xi Jinping Arrives in New Delhi for BRICS Summit Amid Wars — AI-generated representative image: A formal diplomatic arrival scene at an airport in New Delhi, with flags and an official delegation, illustrating a state vis

Editorial Team

Leaders of 11 nations gather as Middle East and Ukraine conflicts, trade turbulence and energy security dominate the agenda

Chinese President Xi Jinping has arrived in New Delhi to attend the 18th BRICS summit, joining leaders from India, Russia and Iran for a two-day meeting expected to be dominated by wars, trade tensions and energy security.

Xi departed on Saturday at the invitation of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Chinese state-run Xinhua news agency reported. His delegation includes Foreign Minister Wang Yi and senior Communist Party official Cai Qi.

Xi's visit, his first to India since 2019, is being closely watched as the most significant step yet in the cautious thaw between the nuclear-armed neighbours. The trip comes six years after a deadly 2020 military clash along their disputed Himalayan border, with relations having gradually improved through restored flights, visas and high-level contacts.

The underlying territorial dispute remains unresolved, and both sides continue to maintain heavy military deployments along their roughly 3,500-kilometre (2,175-mile) high-altitude border.

Summit Agenda and Bilateral Meetings

The conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine, along with global trade turbulence and energy security, are expected to dominate the discussions of the 11-nation bloc. Xi is scheduled to hold face-to-face talks with Modi later on Saturday, according to India's Ministry of External Affairs.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian arrived in the Indian capital on Friday. Putin held talks with Modi and agreed to further strengthen the "special" relationship between their countries. During a separate meeting with Pezeshkian, Modi underscored the need to protect freedom of navigation and commerce, as well as the safety and wellbeing of ships' crews.

India-China Relations and BRICS Origins

Beijing said on Friday that it was "ready to work with India by strengthening communication, enhancing cooperation, and properly handling differences." Deep mistrust nevertheless remains, with the contested Himalayan frontier, a widening trade deficit and strategic rivalry continuing to complicate ties between the two powers.

BRICS was created in 2009 as a forum for major emerging economies seeking greater influence in institutions dominated by Western powers. India has navigated the energy crisis caused by the United States-Iran war in part by turning to Russia, despite Moscow's war in Ukraine and pressure from Washington and other Western capitals.

Official Statements and Expert Analysis

"They are looking for 'early and substantial harvest' when it comes to the border issue," said Pradeep Taneja, a China-India expert at the University of Melbourne. "You cannot have a buildup of your forces on the border but at the same time say 'we should continue to have people-to-people relations and economic relationships.'"

Dozens of Tibetans living in exile protested in New Delhi on Friday, waving placards against Xi's visit. The demonstrations underscored the lingering sensitivities surrounding the Chinese leader's trip, which marks a notable diplomatic milestone despite unresolved disputes.

What Lies Ahead

The summit is set to continue over the next two days, with the bilateral meeting between Xi and Modi expected later on Saturday. The outcome of those talks will be closely monitored as an indicator of whether the cautious improvement in India-China relations can translate into concrete progress on the border issue and broader cooperation within the divided BRICS grouping.