Friday, 11 September 2026 · Full edition

China confirms Xi Jinping will visit India for BRICS summit in New Delhi

A photograph showing BRICS leaders including Vladimir Putin, Narendra Modi, Dilma Rousseff, Xi Jinping, and Jacob Zuma together at a summit.
A photograph showing BRICS leaders including Vladimir Putin, Narendra Modi, Dilma Rousseff, Xi Jinping, and Jacob Zuma together at a summit. · Presidential Press and Information Office / Wikimedia CommonsCC BY 4.0

What happened

China confirmed President Xi Jinping will travel to New Delhi for the upcoming BRICS summit, marking his first trip to India in nearly seven years. The diplomatic visit comes as both governments seek to stabilize their bilateral and commercial relations.

Why it matters

The high-level meeting provides a key opportunity to address trade friction between the two countries. Restoring regular diplomatic communication helps establish a more predictable commercial environment following years of diplomatic strain.

Bigger picture

Multilateral gatherings like BRICS increasingly serve as primary mechanisms for managing strategic competition among major powers. The platform enables Beijing and New Delhi to balance security rivalries with critical economic interests.

Watch next

Potential bilateral side meetings between Xi and Indian leadership during the summit, particularly formal joint statements or specific agreements addressing cross-border trade.

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