China’s President Xi Jinping arrived in New Delhi on Saturday (September 12, 2026), to take part in the 18th BRICS Summit. This marks his first visit to the Indian capital since 2014. The summit will see him meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with both leaders aiming to strengthen trade and people-to-people ties amid continuing border tensions. The visit follows a series of recent high-level exchanges, including the Special Representative dialogue in Beijing between National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

The Chinese leader is accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising government officials and top business leaders. Both sides have rolled out a series of confidence-building measures over the past year to repair ties frayed by the more than four-and-a-half-year military standoff in eastern Ladakh. However, concerns remain over aggressive Chinese military posturing along the Arunachal Pradesh sector, which has been a point of contention between the two nations.

A day ahead of his arrival, the Tibetan community on Friday (September 11, 2026) voiced its opposition with protests at different locations in the city. The Tibetan community’s concerns are often related to issues of autonomy and cultural preservation, though the specific grievances of the protests were not detailed in the report.

The BRICS Summit, which includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, is expected to focus on economic cooperation, global governance, and regional security. The summit will provide a platform for India and China to discuss bilateral issues, including trade, investment, and the ongoing border dispute. However, the summit’s outcomes will depend on the willingness of both nations to address sensitive topics in a constructive manner.

The visit comes amid a backdrop of complex bilateral relations. While both countries have expressed a desire to improve ties, the military standoff in eastern Ladakh and the broader border dispute continue to cast a shadow over their relationship. The recent Special Representative dialogue between Doval and Wang Yi is seen as a step toward de-escalation, but the effectiveness of such measures remains to be seen.

What remains unknown is the full extent of the discussions between Modi and Xi during their meeting, as well as the specific confidence-building measures that have been implemented. The absence of a response from Chinese authorities on the protests raises questions about the transparency of the situation and the potential impact on the summit’s proceedings.

The BRICS Summit is a significant event for India-China relations, offering an opportunity for dialogue and cooperation. However, the summit’s success will depend on the ability of both leaders to navigate the complex and often contentious issues that define their relationship. As the summit unfolds, the focus will be on whether the leaders can make tangible progress toward resolving outstanding issues and fostering greater mutual trust.