Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in New Delhi on Saturday for the 18th BRICS summit, hosted by India. His visit marks his first trip to India since 2019, following a prolonged period of strained relations due to a deadly military clash in 2020 along their disputed Himalayan border. Xi's entourage includes Foreign Minister Wang Yi and high-ranking Chinese Communist Party official Cai Qi. The two-day summit is expected to be dominated by discussions on the conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine, global trade turbulence, and energy security.
Xi is scheduled to hold face-to-face talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi later on Saturday. This meeting is being closely watched as a significant step in the cautious improvement of ties between the nuclear-armed rivals. While flights, visas, and high-level contacts have been restored, deep mistrust persists due to their contested border, India's widening trade deficit with China, and strategic rivalries across Asia. Analysts suggest both leaders are seeking "early and substantial harvest" on border issues.
The BRICS summit also includes leaders from Russia and Iran, with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in attendance. The gathering occurs amidst increased pressure on several members from U.S. tariffs, sanctions, and ongoing conflicts, prompting discussions on diversifying trade, energy, and payment relationships. While these countries have their own long-standing reasons for cooperation, U.S. economic pressures are adding another layer to their considerations. The group is exploring increased trade in local currencies and alternative cross-border payment mechanisms, though members differ on the extent of reducing reliance on the U.S. dollar.
