Chinese President Xi Jinping departed Beijing on Saturday, arriving in New Delhi to attend the 18th BRICS summit. Accompanying him are Foreign Minister Wang Yi and senior Chinese Communist Party official Cai Qi. The visit, issued at the invitation of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, occurs against a backdrop of intensifying geopolitical challenges, including ongoing wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, volatile global trade, and energy security concerns.
This trip marks Xi’s first visit to India since 2019 and represents the most significant move yet in the cautious thaw between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. Relations have gradually improved following a deadly military clash along their disputed border in Tibet in 2020, with both nations restoring commercial flights, visa processes, and high-level diplomatic contacts. However, the underlying territorial dispute remains unresolved, and both sides continue to maintain substantial military forces along the 3,500-kilometer (2,175-mile) high-altitude frontier.
Beijing stated on Friday that it is prepared to collaborate with India by strengthening communication channels, enhancing cooperation, and appropriately managing differences. Xi is scheduled to hold face-to-face discussions with Modi later on Saturday. Pradeep Taneja, a China-India expert at the University of Melbourne, noted that both sides are seeking “early and substantial harvest” regarding the border issue, emphasizing the need to avoid force buildup while continuing people-to-people and economic ties.
Despite these diplomatic efforts, deep mistrust persists due to the contested Himalayan border, a growing trade deficit, and strategic rivalry. During Xi’s arrival, dozens of Tibetan exiles, echoing the sentiments of their spiritual leader the Dalai Lama, protested in New Delhi on Friday, displaying placards opposing his visit.
The summit also welcomes Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, who arrived in the Indian capital on Friday. During preliminary talks with Modi, Putin agreed to further strengthen the “special” relationship between Russia and India. Meanwhile, Modi met with Pezeshkian to underscore the importance of safeguarding freedom of navigation, commerce, and the safety of ship crews.
India has increasingly turned to Russia to navigate the energy crisis exacerbated by the US-Iran war, despite Moscow’s ongoing conflict in Ukraine and pressure from Washington and other Western capitals. Founded in 2009, BRICS serves as a forum for major emerging economies aiming to increase their influence in institutions historically dominated by Western powers.
Glad to see flights and visas restored. People-to-people ties matter more than ever right now.
Do we really trust Modi and Xi to manage differences when military forces are still massed along the Himalayas? Skeptical.
Interesting that Putin and Pezeshkian are also there. BRICS is definitely positioning itself as a counterweight to Western influence.
Finally some dialogue after years of tension. Hope this thaw leads to real border resolution, not just photo ops.