Xi Jinping is expected to attend the upcoming BRICS summit in New Delhi, marking his first visit in seven years.
Chinese President Xi Jinping is likely to visit India next month for the BRICS summit in New Delhi, accompanied by a delegation of around 400 officials, in what would be his first trip to the country in seven years. India will host the BRICS summit on September 12-13, with Xi’s presence expected to draw particular attention amid ongoing efforts by New Delhi and Beijing to stabilise relations following the deadly 2020 border clashes, Reuters reported.
“Chinese officials are busy finalising hotels and security protocols,” one of the Indian sources with direct knowledge told the agency.
Two other sources said Xi was likely to be accompanied by a delegation of about 400 officials, compared with fewer than 200 officials the last time in 2019. Officials from both countries are expected to use the summit to explore ways to expand engagement while managing long-standing differences over the border and regional security issues, the sources added.
Last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited China for the first time in seven years, but the relationship has only improved gradually.
India and China will continue in-depth communication on border issue: Beijing
Xi’s final travel plans and agenda for any potential bilateral between India and China are yet to be finalised, the sources said.
The Chinese foreign ministry said, “China attaches great importance to and actively participates in BRICS cooperation, and supports India, the current chair, in successfully hosting this year’s BRICS summit.”
“We currently have no information available to provide” about Xi’s visit, it said. Xi missed the last BRICS summit in 2025 in Brazil.