Chinese President Xi Jinping may attend the BRICS summit scheduled for next month in New Delhi, India, accompanied by a large delegation. News agency Reuters reported this information, citing three sources.
The report states that if the visit takes place, it will be Xi’s first visit to India in seven years and would signal new progress in efforts to normalize relations between the two rival nations.
India is hosting the BRICS summit on September 12 and 13. Xi’s presence at the summit would carry significance beyond the BRICS agenda itself, serving as a signal of the ongoing efforts to stabilize relations between Beijing and New Delhi following the deadly border clash in 2020.
An Indian source with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters that Chinese officials are busy finalizing preparations regarding hotels and security arrangements. Last year, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited China for the first time in seven years; however, relations between the two countries have since progressed only gradually.
Recently, there has also been an intense diplomatic war of words between the two nations centering on a new border dispute. Two other Indian sources indicated that a delegation of approximately 400 members might accompany Xi. During his last visit to India in 2019, the Chinese delegation consisted of fewer than 200 officials.
The sources stated that on the sidelines of the summit, officials from both countries might explore ways to enhance mutual engagement, even while maintaining their respective stances on long-standing border disputes and regional security issues.
However, the sources noted that Xi’s final itinerary and the schedule for any potential bilateral meeting between India and China have not yet been finalized.
China’s Foreign Ministry stated that China attaches great importance to BRICS cooperation and participates actively in it, adding, “We support India, the current chair, in successfully hosting this year’s BRICS summit.”
However, the ministry also stated that it had no confirmed information regarding Xi Jinping’s visit. Xi did not attend the last BRICS summit held in Brazil in 2025 [sic]. India’s Ministry of External Affairs has not commented on the matter. Meanwhile, India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval began a visit to Beijing on Monday, where he is set to hold discussions with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi regarding border issues.
India and China remain rivals. However, US President Donald Trump’s trade policies have created a common ground for cooperation between the two nations.
According to analysts, Xi Jinping’s potential attendance at the BRICS summit could signal that neither India nor China wishes to see BRICS cooperation weakened by external pressures.
If Xi’s visit to New Delhi is ultimately confirmed, it would send a significant diplomatic message—not only for BRICS but also for stabilizing India-China relations following long-standing border tensions.
