Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in New Delhi, emphasizing the “significant responsibilities” both nations share as leading powers of the Global South. The bilateral engagement, their first on Indian soil since the 2020 Galwan Valley clash, aimed to reset strained diplomatic ties.
Call for Enhanced Cooperation
During their meeting, President Xi urged India and China to "join hands" to strengthen cooperation within the expanded BRICS framework. He highlighted the considerable scope for mutual learning and collaboration despite existing differences, viewing the relationship from a strategic and long-term perspective.
Xi called for both countries to advocate for an equal and orderly multipolar world and an economic globalization that is universally beneficial and inclusive. He stated that such cooperation would "inject greater positive energy into promoting global peace, stability, development, and prosperity."
BRICS Summit Context
The high-level discussions took place as leaders of the BRICS grouping addressed critical global economic and geopolitical issues, focusing on the role of developing economies. Xi Jinping underscored BRICS as the world's most influential platform for cooperation among emerging markets and developing nations. He also announced that China would assume the BRICS chairship next year and host the 19th BRICS Summit, aiming to usher in the "third golden decade" of BRICS cooperation.
Addressing Bilateral Challenges
The meeting served as a crucial step in stabilizing relations between New Delhi and Beijing, which have been strained by military confrontations in eastern Ladakh. While an agreement on patrolling arrangements in October 2024 helped ease immediate standoffs and paved the way for renewed political engagement, the broader boundary dispute along their roughly 3,500-km frontier remains unresolved, with significant military deployments maintained by both sides.
Beyond security concerns, trade and investment were also central to the bilateral agenda. In the 2025-26 fiscal year, bilateral trade reached approximately $151 billion, with India facing a substantial trade deficit of roughly $112 billion.
Delegations and Discussions
The meeting commenced at 5:45 PM local time. President Xi was accompanied by senior Chinese officials, including Cai Qi and Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Representing India were National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, and India’s Ambassador to China, Vikram Doraiswami.