Xi Jinping to Visit India for BRICS Summit as New Delhi and Beijing Work to Improve Relations
Chinese President Xi Jinping is set to visit India for the first time in seven years as both countries continue efforts to rebuild their relationship following years of tensions. The Chinese Foreign Ministry announced on Thursday that Xi will travel to New Delhi to participate in the BRICS summit scheduled for September 12 and 13.
Xi is also expected to hold a formal bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit. This would mark the first time the two leaders meet in India since 2019. Xi's previous visit took place in October that year, when he travelled to Mamallapuram near Chennai for the second informal summit between the two leaders.
According to sources, India and China are considering the launch of a strategic economic dialogue as part of efforts to strengthen economic ties. The proposed initiative comes at a time when relations have faced several economic challenges, including India's large trade deficit with China, difficulties in gaining access to the Chinese market, limited Chinese investment in India, visa related restrictions affecting businesses from both countries and concerns surrounding the operations of Chinese companies in India.
The meeting between Modi and Xi is also expected to include a review of recent developments in the boundary discussions held in Beijing. India's National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who serve as the Special Representatives for boundary negotiations, recently held talks aimed at making further progress on border related issues.
The two leaders are likely to support efforts toward what has been described as an early and substantial outcome in discussions concerning boundary delimitation and border management.
The recent Beijing talks resulted in eight areas of agreement and consensus. These included plans for two additional military hotlines between the armed forces of the two countries in the eastern and middle sectors, the establishment of two new locations for meetings between military commanders and arrangements concerning meetings related to trans border rivers.
Xi's decision to attend the BRICS summit is being viewed as an important diplomatic signal for India. His participation comes after he did not attend the G20 summit held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi three years ago, when relations between India and China were under considerable strain.
The upcoming visit therefore comes at a significant time, with both countries seeking to improve diplomatic engagement and address longstanding economic and border related concerns.