China’s Xi Jinping Likely To Attend India BRICS Summit With 400-Member Delegation

Chinese President Xi Jinping is likely to visit India next month to attend the BRICS summit in New Delhi, marking his first visit to the country in seven years and potentially signalling further efforts by the two Asian powers to stabilise ties, according to three sources cited by Reuters. India is scheduled to host the BRICS summit on September 12 and 13, with Xi's expected presence likely to attract considerable attention beyond the formal agenda of the grouping. The potential visit comes against the backdrop of strained India-China relations following deadly clashes along their disputed Himalayan border in 2020.

Although diplomatic and military engagement between the two countries has gradually resumed since then, relations remain sensitive, with border issues continuing to influence the broader relationship. Xi's presence at the summit could therefore provide an opportunity for both sides to assess the progress made in rebuilding bilateral engagement. One Indian source with direct knowledge of the preparations told Reuters that Chinese officials were working on arrangements including hotels and security protocols.

The preparations indicate that Beijing is seriously considering a high-level visit to New Delhi, although Xi's attendance has not been presented as a formally confirmed decision in the information provided. His participation would make the BRICS summit an important diplomatic event for India-China relations. According to two Indian sources, Xi could be accompanied by a delegation of around 400 officials. That would represent a substantial increase from his previous visit to India in 2019, when fewer than 200 officials reportedly travelled with him.

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A delegation of that size would reflect the logistical and security requirements associated with a major state visit and underline the importance Beijing may attach to Xi's participation in the summit. The possible visit follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi's trip to China last year, his first visit to the country in seven years. That meeting had raised expectations of an improvement in bilateral relations after years of tension following the border clashes. However, the relationship has progressed cautiously, and a more recent border-related dispute again resulted in sharp diplomatic exchanges between New Delhi and Beijing.

For India, hosting Xi would provide a major diplomatic opportunity as it seeks to manage its relationship with China while strengthening its role in multilateral groupings such as BRICS. The summit will bring together leaders from member countries to discuss economic cooperation and broader international issues, but the interaction between Modi and Xi is likely to attract particular attention because of the strategic importance of their bilateral relationship. Xi's last visit to India was in 2019, when he travelled to Chennai for an informal summit with Modi. Since then, the relationship has undergone significant turbulence, particularly following the deadly military confrontation in eastern Ladakh in 2020.

The two countries have subsequently taken steps to reduce tensions at the border and resume dialogue, but substantial differences remain. The prospect of Xi travelling to New Delhi with a delegation twice the size of his 2019 entourage could add further significance to the upcoming BRICS meeting. While the summit itself is focused on cooperation among member states, a Xi-Modi meeting on the sidelines could provide an opportunity to discuss unresolved bilateral concerns and explore ways to prevent renewed tensions. For now, however, the reported visit remains subject to final confirmation as preparations continue for the September 12-13 summit.

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