Chinese President Xi Jinping will attend the 18th Brics Summit in New Delhi from September 12 to 13, according to the Chinese foreign ministry. This marks his first visit to India in seven years, reported by the Times of India and Hindustan Times. The summit, hosted by India, will bring together leaders of the Brics grouping to discuss global and economic issues. The visit is at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as noted by Reuters and the Indian Express.

The summit is expected to be a significant diplomatic engagement, with Xi’s meeting with Modi likely to be closely watched. The two leaders have been working to stabilise ties after years of tensions, particularly over their disputed border. The Chinese foreign ministry stated that China supports India’s role as the current Brics chair in hosting the summit. The visit comes amid ongoing high-level efforts to improve relations, including recent discussions between Indian and Chinese officials on maintaining peace along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

Xi’s visit will be accompanied by a large delegation, more than double the size of his 2019 visit, according to Reuters. Indian sources estimated the delegation to include around 400 officials, compared to fewer than 200 during his previous visit. The Indian Express reported that security has been heightened in Delhi’s Chanakyapuri area, with advanced weapons and equipment deployed at hotels where the leaders are expected to stay. Russian President Vladimir Putin is also scheduled to arrive in India on September 11, with both leaders expected to land at the Air Force Station in Palam.

The visit is significant amid ongoing efforts to resolve the border dispute. Last month, national security advisor Ajit Doval met Chinese vice president Han Zheng in Beijing, discussing ways to maintain peace and tranquillity along the LAC. In May, the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs reviewed the situation and noted progress in maintaining peace along the frontier. Recent steps to rebuild ties include resuming direct flights and reviving the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. India and China have also held discussions through diplomatic and military channels on maintaining peace and tranquillity along the LAC.

India continues to assert that peace and tranquillity along the border are essential for normal ties. External affairs minister S Jaishankar reiterated this position during a meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in July. The two sides have reached an eight-point consensus, including additional military meeting points, new hotline channels, and the reopening of three designated border trading points. India and China also held their first corps commander-level meeting in the eastern sector in Arunachal Pradesh on September 6.

The summit will provide an opportunity for India to engage with other Brics members on issues including global conflicts, economic cooperation, and reforms of multilateral institutions. However, the unresolved boundary dispute remains a key topic of discussion. The visit and meeting with Modi are expected to be closely watched for indications of how far the two countries are prepared to take the ongoing process of stabilising relations while addressing the unresolved boundary dispute.