Chinese President Xi Jinping is set to visit New Delhi on September 12 and 13 for the 18th BRICS Summit, marking his first India visit in seven years.
After days of uncertainty, China has officially confirmed that Xi Jinping will travel to India this weekend to attend the upcoming BRICS leaders’ meeting.
China’s Foreign Ministry said Xi will be in New Delhi on September 12-13, following an invitation from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. His visit is expected to draw significant attention as India and China continue efforts to stabilize relations following years of tension.
Xi Jinping to Visit India After Seven Years
The upcoming visit will be Xi Jinping’s first trip to India since 2019. At the time, Xi and Prime Minister Narendra Modi held an informal meeting in Mamallapuram, Tamil Nadu.
Relations between the two Asian powers deteriorated sharply after the 2020 Galwan Valley clash along the Line of Actual Control. Twenty Indian soldiers were killed in the confrontation, while China also suffered casualties.
The border dispute subsequently affected diplomatic relations, investment and economic ties between the two countries.
Xi had earlier visited India in 2014 and 2016. His 2016 trip included the BRICS summit in Goa.
India-China Relations Begin to Thaw
There have been signs of a gradual improvement in India-China relations over the past year.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to China last year helped restart high-level engagement between New Delhi and Beijing. The two sides have since taken steps to improve communication and reduce some of the friction that followed the 2020 border crisis.
India has also relaxed certain restrictions on Chinese investments, particularly in sectors such as electronics, capital goods and solar cell manufacturing.
Beijing has meanwhile described the two countries as partners rather than competitors, highlighting the potential for greater economic cooperation.
India-China Trade Reaches Record High
While political relations have remained complicated, economic ties between India and China have continued to expand.
According to Chinese customs figures, bilateral trade increased 12.4% last year to a record $155 billion. A decade earlier, trade between the two countries stood at about $71.6 billion.
The upward trend has continued in 2026. During the first seven months of the year, India-China trade was reportedly 23% higher than during the same period in 2025.
However, investment and technology remain sensitive areas. Some proposed Chinese investments in India are reportedly undergoing greater scrutiny, particularly those involving advanced manufacturing and high-end technology.
What Xi’s Visit Could Mean for India and China
Xi Jinping’s India visit could become an important moment in the ongoing effort to improve bilateral ties.
The BRICS Summit will provide Modi and Xi with an opportunity to discuss border issues, trade, investment and regional as well as global developments.
The two leaders have already met briefly this month at a regional gathering in Kyrgyzstan. Their discussions in New Delhi could offer further clues about the future direction of India-China relations.
For New Delhi and Beijing, the challenge will be to expand areas of cooperation while continuing to manage their differences over the border, trade and strategic interests.
The significance of Xi’s visit therefore goes beyond the BRICS meeting. It could serve as another test of whether India and China can move toward a more stable relationship after years of tensions.
