Chinese President Xi Jinping Expected in India for BRICS Summit After 7-Year Hiatus
Chinese President Xi Jinping is likely to travel to New Delhi for the September BRICS summit, accompanied by a delegation of around 400 officials, marking his first visit to India in seven years. 'China attaches great importance to and actively participates in BRICS cooperation, and supports India, the current chair, in successfully hosting this year's BRICS summit,' he Chinese foreign ministry said.
Chinese President Xi Jinping is likely to travel to New Delhi next month to attend the BRICS summit, marking his first visit to India in seven years. According to sources familiar with the matter, the high-level diplomatic visit highlights potential steps toward stabilising bilateral ties between the two major regional powers.
The upcoming multilateral summit is scheduled to take place from September 12 to 13. Beyond the core agenda of the BRICS bloc, diplomatic observers are closely monitoring the visit for indications of improving dialogue following years of friction. Donald Trump Confirms Xi Jinping Will Visit US, Leaders Set for High-Stakes Summit.
China's Xi Likely To Visit India Next Month With Big Delegation
JUST IN: Xi Jinping to reportedly visit India next month with a 400-person delegation for the BRICS summit.
— Polymarket (@Polymarket) August 25, 2026
Security Preparations and Large Delegation
Preparations for the visit are currently underway, with administrative teams reviewing logistical needs, reports Reuters. “Chinese officials are busy finalising hotels and security protocols,” an Indian source with direct knowledge told Reuters. Sources indicate that the Chinese leader is expected to travel with a substantial delegation of approximately 400 officials. This figure represents a notable increase compared to the fewer than 200 officials who accompanied Xi during his previous visit to India in 2019.
While Beijing has not formally finalised the official travel itinerary, the Chinese foreign ministry addressed the upcoming event. “China attaches great importance to and actively participates in BRICS cooperation, and supports India, the current chair, in successfully hosting this year's BRICS summit,” the ministry stated, adding, “We currently have no information available to provide” regarding specific travel plans. India's Ministry of External Affairs has not issued a formal comment. Xi Jinping Tells Donald Trump Russia’s Vladimir Putin May Regret Ukraine Invasion: Report.
Context of Border Standoffs and Diplomatic Engagement
The prospective visit follows a gradual, cautious resumption of high-level contacts between New Delhi and Beijing. Relations between the two nuclear-armed neighbours experienced a severe downturn following military clashes along their disputed Himalayan frontier in 2020. Although the nations established a tactical disengagement framework in late 2024 to ease tensions along the border, underlying diplomatic sensitivities persist. Officials from both countries are expected to utilise the multilateral platform to discuss regional security issues and manage longstanding differences alongside the broader summit schedule.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 25, 2026 02:22 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
