Chinese President Xi Jinping is set to visit India for the first time in almost seven years, as he attends the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on September 12-13. His anticipated meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to be a focal point, drawing significant international attention. The visit comes amid ongoing efforts by India and China to mend their strained relationship, which suffered due to the 2020 military standoff along the Line of Actual Control in the eastern region of Ladakh. The deadly clash in the Galwan Valley that June resulted in the deaths of 20 Indian soldiers and at least four Chinese troops, severely damaging bilateral ties.
Relations between the two Asian giants began showing signs of recovery following an agreement in October 2024 to disengage at Depsang and Demchok. This led to a subsequent meeting between Modi and Xi on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in Kazan, where they agreed to reinvigorate mechanisms aimed at addressing the border dispute and rebuilding bilateral relations. Progress has been marked by the resumption of direct flights between the countries, the revival of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, and ongoing diplomatic and military dialogues to ensure peace along their shared border.
In a notable development in August, India’s National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi reached an eight-point consensus. This agreement includes the establishment of additional military meeting points, new hotline channels, and the reopening of three designated border trading points. Additionally, the two countries convened a corps commander-level meeting in the eastern sector on September 6, underscoring their commitment to maintaining stability in the region.
Despite these positive steps, India maintains that lasting peace and tranquillity along the border are essential for fully normalizing relations with China. Consequently, the discussions between Xi and Modi are expected to be pivotal in determining how far both nations are willing to advance the stabilization process while addressing lingering boundary disputes.
The BRICS summit will serve as a platform for leaders to engage in discussions on a range of global political and economic issues. Key topics will include conflicts, economic cooperation, and potential reforms to multilateral institutions, underscoring the significance of collaboration among the BRICS nations in addressing global challenges.