Xi Jinping India Visit: BRICS Summit Could Revive Modi-Xi Talks

By Thetripurapost Desk, New Delhi
Aug 20, 2026
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The possibility of Chinese President Xi Jinping travelling to India for the 18th BRICS Summit has added a significant diplomatic dimension to the major international gathering scheduled in New Delhi on September 12 and 13, 2026. Russian President Vladimir Putin's participation has already been confirmed, while Xi's attendance is being closely watched.

India is hosting the BRICS Summit 2026 as part of its chairship of the grouping. The official BRICS 2026 platform lists resilience, innovation, cooperation and sustainability among India's central priorities.

Xi Jinping's Possible India Visit Gains Diplomatic Importance

If Xi Jinping attends the New Delhi summit, it would be his first visit to India since October 2019, when he met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Mamallapuram, Tamil Nadu.

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China has not yet formally confirmed Xi's participation, but preparations surrounding a possible visit have increased expectations of a high-level India-China engagement during the BRICS meeting.

The prospect of Xi's arrival is particularly important because India-China relations have remained sensitive since the military tensions along the Line of Actual Control. Modi and Xi had their first meeting after the border tensions on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in Kazan in 2024.

India-China Border Issue Likely to Dominate Modi-Xi Talks

If the Chinese president travels to New Delhi, maintaining peace and stability along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) is expected to remain one of India's major priorities.

The two countries have been working on mechanisms aimed at preventing border-related military tensions from damaging the wider bilateral relationship. Border management, de-escalation and confidence-building measures are likely to remain important elements of future diplomatic discussions.

National Security Adviser Ajit Doval is also expected to participate in the next round of Special Representatives' talks concerning the India-China boundary question. Discussions between the two sides are expected to focus on maintaining stability along the frontier and developing arrangements to prevent future confrontations.

India-China Trade and Supply Chain Issues Also Important

The potential Modi-Xi engagement is not expected to be limited to the border dispute. India-China trade relations, the bilateral trade deficit and supply-chain dependence could also feature prominently in discussions.

New Delhi has been seeking greater diversification of critical supply chains, particularly in areas involving strategic industrial inputs, electronic components and rare-earth-related materials.

India and China have also taken steps towards restoring selected forms of cross-border trade and travel. The reopening of traditional border trade routes and the resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra have provided additional signs of gradual engagement between the two countries.

Putin and Xi Together Could Raise BRICS Summit Stakes

The presence of both Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping in New Delhi would significantly increase the diplomatic importance of the BRICS Summit.

For Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the summit could provide an important platform for engaging separately with the leaders of Russia and China while advancing India's wider BRICS agenda.

A possible Modi-Xi meeting could place several issues on the diplomatic table, including LAC peace, border management, trade, supply-chain resilience and the broader normalisation of India-China relations.

The summit is also taking place against a backdrop of divisions within the expanded BRICS grouping over major geopolitical and economic issues. Analysts have noted that managing differences among the increasingly diverse BRICS membership will be one of India's major challenges as chair.

India Leads BRICS in 2026

India assumed the BRICS chairship for 2026 and is preparing to host the 18th summit in New Delhi.

The BRICS grouping has expanded considerably from its original five members. Alongside Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, the expanded bloc includes Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Indonesia.

Under India's leadership, BRICS discussions are focusing on areas including economic cooperation, sustainable development, technological innovation, energy security, counter-terrorism and stronger supply chains.

India is also seeking to strengthen the representation of developing economies and reinforce the role of the Global South in international decision-making.

Why the 2026 BRICS Summit Matters for India

The September summit is shaping up to be more than a routine multilateral meeting. With Putin confirmed and Xi Jinping potentially attending, New Delhi could become the centre of significant diplomatic activity involving two of India's most strategically important partners.

For India, the BRICS platform offers an opportunity to simultaneously advance economic cooperation, protect strategic interests and engage major powers on contentious issues.

A possible Modi-Xi meeting at the BRICS Summit 2026 would therefore be closely watched, particularly for any indication of progress on border stability, bilateral trade and the future direction of India-China relations.

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