New Delhi: Chinese President Xi Jinping will attend the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on September 12 and 13, the Chinese Foreign Ministry confirmed on Thursday, in a visit that is expected to bring India-China ties into sharp focus.
The Chinese President will travel to India at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the two-day summit, marking his first visit to the country in seven years.
“At the invitation of Prime Minister of the Republic of India Narendra Modi, President Xi Jinping will attend the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi from September 12 to 13,” the statement read.
The confirmation comes amid efforts by New Delhi and Beijing to stabilise bilateral relations following years of tensions, particularly along the Line of Actual Control. A possible meeting between Modi and Xi on the sidelines of the summit is expected to attract significant diplomatic attention.
India is hosting the BRICS Leaders’ Summit at Bharat Mandapam on September 12 and 13, with leaders expected to discuss economic cooperation, trade, technology, artificial intelligence, energy security, climate action and reforms of global institutions.
Xi’s participation is also significant for the expanded BRICS grouping, which is facing challenges from differences among its members over geopolitical issues, including the ongoing conflict involving Iran and the UAE.
The visit will be Xi’s first to India since his informal meeting with Modi in Mamallapuram in 2019. His participation places India and China at the centre of diplomatic attention as the two countries seek to further improve bilateral ties.
