New Delhi: Chinese President Xi Jinping has arrived in India for the 18th BRICS Summit, marking his first visit to the country in nearly seven years and setting the stage for a closely watched bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Xi left Beijing on Saturday at Modi’s invitation to attend the BRICS Summit being held in New Delhi on September 12 and 13. His visit comes as India and China continue efforts to stabilise ties following years of tensions triggered by the 2020 Galwan Valley clash.
A meeting between Modi and Xi is scheduled for Saturday evening. The two leaders have met in each of the past two years, including discussions in Kazan and Tianjin, as diplomatic engagement between the two countries has gradually increased.
China has signalled that it wants to strengthen communication with India while managing differences between the two neighbours. Beijing has said both countries should approach their relationship from a long term and strategic perspective, increase cooperation and address disagreements appropriately.
The visit carries significance as it comes after a period of strained India China relations. The 2020 border confrontation had sharply affected ties, but subsequent high level engagements have helped create space for renewed dialogue.
Xi is accompanied by senior Chinese officials, including Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China and director of its General Office. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, is part of the delegation as well.
The Modi Xi meeting is expected to focus on bilateral relations, border issues, trade, economic cooperation and wider regional developments. Both sides are also likely to discuss ways to maintain stability along the India China border while expanding areas of mutual cooperation.
India is hosting the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, bringing together leaders of major emerging economies for discussions on global economic, geopolitical and strategic issues.
Xi’s arrival adds further significance to the summit and places the Modi Xi meeting among the most closely watched diplomatic engagements of the gathering.
