Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in New Delhi on Saturday for the BRICS summit, marking his first visit to India in seven years as global conflicts in Ukraine and West Asia are expected to dominate discussions among the bloc’s leaders. Xi’s arrival comes at a significant moment for both BRICS and India-China relations, with the summit bringing together leaders from major emerging economies amid heightened geopolitical tensions.
Xi is expected to hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the two-day summit. The meeting will be closely watched because it comes after years of strained relations following the deadly 2020 border clash in eastern Ladakh. Since then, both countries have taken gradual steps toward stabilising ties, including efforts to restore direct flights, ease some visa restrictions and increase high-level diplomatic engagement. However, disagreements over the disputed border and trade remain unresolved.
The BRICS gathering is taking place against the backdrop of two major conflicts. The continuing Russia-Ukraine war and the escalating conflict involving Iran and Israel are expected to test the ability of the expanded grouping to present a united position on international crises. The presence of Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian makes the Middle East conflict particularly important to the summit’s discussions.
For India, the summit presents a delicate diplomatic challenge. New Delhi maintains strong strategic and economic relations with Russia while also maintaining ties with the United States, Europe, Iran and Israel. Prime Minister Modi has repeatedly emphasised dialogue and diplomacy as the preferred route for resolving international conflicts, a position India is expected to maintain during the BRICS discussions.
The conflicts are also creating economic concerns for BRICS members. Disruptions to energy supplies, trade routes and global transportation have increased pressure on developing economies. Issues such as energy security, food security, critical supply chains and greater use of national currencies in international trade are therefore expected to feature prominently during the summit.
Xi’s visit is also important for the future of India-China relations. The two Asian powers have gradually moved from confrontation toward cautious engagement, but significant mistrust remains. China continues to be a major trading partner for India, while New Delhi remains concerned about the trade imbalance, Chinese investments in sensitive sectors and developments along the Himalayan border.
The expanded BRICS grouping itself faces internal differences. Its members do not always share the same positions on conflicts, relations with Western countries or the future direction of the global financial system. While China and Russia favour a stronger role for BRICS in challenging Western dominance, India has sought to keep the grouping focused on cooperation among developing countries rather than turning it into an explicitly anti-Western alliance.
Against this backdrop, Xi’s presence adds another important layer to the summit. His meeting with Modi could provide an opportunity to advance the recent thaw in bilateral relations, while the wider BRICS discussions will test whether the expanded grouping can find common ground on some of the world’s most pressing conflicts.
With wars in Ukraine and West Asia casting a shadow over the gathering, the New Delhi summit is likely to be as much about diplomacy and geopolitical balancing as it is about trade and economic cooperation. For India, Xi’s visit offers a chance to strengthen engagement with China while continuing its broader strategy of maintaining relationships with competing global powers.