Reports indicate that Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to travel to India in September for the upcoming BRICS Summit. The high-profile summit, bringing together Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, is slated for September 12 and 13 in New Delhi.
Significant Visit Amidst Tensions
Should the visit proceed, it would mark President Xi's first journey to India since October 2019, notably occurring after the Galwan clash and the protracted military standoff along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). India has already extended an official invitation to the Chinese President, though a formal announcement regarding his attendance is still pending.
China has publicly expressed its support for India's role as this year's BRICS chair, aiming to ensure the summit's success. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stated, "BRICS is an important platform for cooperation among emerging markets and developing countries." She added that China "attaches great importance to and actively participates in BRICS cooperation" and supports India in its chairmanship. However, when asked directly about Xi's attendance, she noted she had "no information to share at the moment."
Historical Context of India-China Relations
President Xi's last visit to India took place on October 11 and 12, 2019, for the second informal summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Mamallapuram, Tamil Nadu. This followed their first informal meeting in Wuhan. Approximately six months after the 2019 visit, relations between the two nations deteriorated significantly following Chinese military incursions in the Ladakh sector, leading to a prolonged border standoff.
Prior to 2019, Xi Jinping made a state visit to India in September 2014, including stops in Ahmedabad and New Delhi. Both leaders have frequently met on the sidelines of various multilateral forums, including previous BRICS summits, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), and the G20.