Report: Chinese President may visit India for the first time in years
Indian sources told Reuters that the visit is in advanced stages of coordination. President Xi may arrive at the head of a 400-person delegation for the BRICS summit in New Delhi, signaling a potential turning point in bilateral relations.
Chinese President Xi Jinping may visit India next month, marking his first trip to the country in seven years. The visit focuses on the explosive border issue, which remains the most critical point in their bilateral relations. Recently, both countries have drawn closer in an attempt to bridge their gaps, a process partially influenced by the trade policies of US President Donald Trump.
President Xi is expected to arrive in New Delhi to participate in the BRICS summit at the head of an exceptionally large delegation, as reported by Reuters. If the visit takes place, it will be the first time in seven years that the Chinese leader visits India, serving as a potential sign of warming relations between the two rival powers. India is set to host the BRICS summit on September 12 and 13.
Xi's arrival is expected to generate significant interest, not only due to the forum's agenda but primarily because of its importance in stabilizing ties between Beijing and New Delhi, which were severely damaged following deadly border clashes in 2020. According to an Indian source, Chinese officials are already finalizing arrangements, including logistics and security protocols. Xi is expected to arrive with a delegation of approximately 400 officials, a significant increase from his 2019 visit, when the team included fewer than 200 people.
Last year, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited China, also for the first time in seven years, though the improvement in relations has been gradual. A new border-related dispute recently emerged, leading to sharp diplomatic exchanges. The report emphasized that Xi's final travel itinerary and the agenda for a potential bilateral meeting have not yet been finalized.
China's Foreign Ministry stated that it attaches great importance to BRICS cooperation and supports India's efforts as this year's chair to host a successful summit, though they provided no confirmation regarding Xi's visit. Notably, the Chinese leader did not attend the last BRICS summit held in Brazil in 2025.
The Border Issue at the Center of Relations
India and China are the world's two most populous nations and both possess nuclear weapons. They share a 3,800-kilometer border in the Himalayas, large parts of which remain poorly defined. Decades of relative quiet ended with the 2020 clashes, which resulted in the deaths of 20 Indian and four Chinese soldiers. This led to a four-year military standoff until an agreement on troop withdrawal was reached in October 2024.
Despite this, tensions persist. On August 12, India stated that maintaining peace on the border is vital for relations with China, following reports of a face-to-face encounter between army patrols in a remote area in late July. India's National Security Advisor, Ajit Doval, arrived in Beijing to meet with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to discuss the border issue.
Although India and China remain rivals, the trade policy of US President Donald Trump has created a point of common interest. Against this backdrop, Xi's potential participation in the BRICS summit may signal that neither side wants external pressure to undermine cooperation within the organization, which carries a distinct anti-Western character and includes Russia, Brazil, South Africa, Iran, Egypt, the UAE, and other nations.
