Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to visit India in September to attend the 18th BRICS Leaders' Summit, marking what would be his first visit to the country since the 2019 informal summit in Mamallapuram and the first after India-China relations deteriorated following the Galwan Valley clash in 2020.

The summit is scheduled to be held in New Delhi on September 12–13, 2026, with India hosting the expanded BRICS grouping at a time of growing geopolitical and economic realignments.

If the visit goes ahead as planned, it will be Xi's first trip to India in nearly seven years and one of the most closely watched diplomatic engagements between the two Asian neighbours since tensions escalated along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

Invitation Extended During SCO Summit

According to government officials, Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended the invitation to Xi Jinping during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit held in Tianjin in August 2025.

Chinese officials later conveyed that Xi had accepted the invitation and expressed support for India's BRICS presidency.

The summit is expected to bring together leaders from the expanded BRICS bloc, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, and heads of state from other member countries.

Relations Showing Signs of Recovery

The expected visit comes amid gradual efforts by New Delhi and Beijing to stabilise bilateral relations after years of diplomatic and military tensions.

Several confidence-building measures have been implemented over the past two years, including:

• A military disengagement understanding reached in October 2024 to reduce tensions along the Line of Actual Control.

• Gradual restoration of direct commercial flight services.

• Easing of visa restrictions for citizens of both countries.

• China's participation in India's AI Impact Summit earlier this year.

Despite these developments, both countries continue to maintain significant military deployments along disputed border areas.

BRICS Summit Gains Strategic Importance

The upcoming BRICS summit is expected to take place against the backdrop of heightened global geopolitical uncertainty, including trade disputes, conflicts in West Asia, supply chain disruptions and efforts by emerging economies to strengthen cooperation through multilateral platforms.

Analysts believe the summit could provide an important opportunity for India and China to continue diplomatic engagement while managing unresolved issues related to border security and bilateral relations.

Apart from economic cooperation, discussions are expected to focus on global financial reforms, trade, technology, energy security, artificial intelligence, climate action and strengthening collaboration among emerging economies.

Significant Diplomatic Engagement

Xi Jinping's proposed visit is likely to attract considerable international attention because it would represent the highest-level bilateral engagement between India and China since relations were strained following the Galwan Valley clash in June 2020.

Diplomatic observers say the visit could serve as an opportunity for both governments to review progress made in restoring communication channels while exploring areas of cooperation despite continuing strategic differences.

Although officials from both sides are yet to announce the final schedule, preparations for the BRICS Summit are expected to intensify in the coming weeks as India readies to host leaders from one of the world's most influential emerging economy groupings.