Xi arrives in New Delhi for BRICS summit, bilateral talks with Modi

Chinese President Xi Jinping touched down in New Delhi on Tuesday, marking his first visit to the Indian capital since he took office in 2014 and the first appearance of a Chinese head of state at a BRICS summit hosted by India. The arrival, which was greeted by a ceremonial guard of honor and a delegation of Indian officials, underscored the diplomatic significance of the gathering, scheduled to run for three days and bring together the leaders of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. The summit, which will conclude on Friday, is expected to address a range of issues from trade and investment to global security, climate change and the reform of international financial institutions.Xi’s itinerary includes a bilateral meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, followed by a joint press conference that will be closely watched by analysts for any signals of a shift in the long‑standing strategic rivalry between the two neighbours..

Both leaders are likely to emphasize the need for “mutual respect” and “non‑interference” in each other’s internal affairs, themes that have featured prominently in recent diplomatic exchanges. The meeting will also provide an opportunity to discuss the stalled border negotiations that have lingered since the 2020 clash in the Himalayas, as well as the broader context of regional security in the Indo‑Pacific.The BRICS summit itself is being billed as a showcase of the bloc’s collective ambition to reshape aspects of the global order. In a draft communique circulated to the press, senior officials said the leaders will reaffirm their commitment to a multipolar world, to deepen economic cooperation, and to enhance coordination on issues such as the Ukraine conflict, the war in Gaza and the fight against terrorism..

The document is expected to be the first since the group’s expansion in 2023 to include six new members, a move that has drawn criticism from the United States and the European Union, who argue that BRICS is being used as a platform to challenge liberal democratic norms.Trade and investment will dominate the economic agenda. China remains India’s largest trading partner, with bilateral commerce exceeding $130 billion in the last fiscal year, while India is the second‑largest market for Chinese goods in South Asia. However, trade imbalances, market access barriers and concerns over technology transfer continue to generate friction..

Sources close to the negotiations said that both sides are keen to explore new mechanisms for dispute resolution, possibly reviving the “strategic partnership” framework that was first outlined in 2016. In addition, the summit will host a series of business roundtables aimed at boosting collaboration in sectors such as renewable energy, digital infrastructure, pharmaceuticals and automotive manufacturing.Energy security is likely to be a focal point, given the accelerating transition to low‑carbon economies across the bloc. China has pledged to expand its renewable‑energy capacity to 1 terawatt by 2030, while India has set an ambitious target of 450 gigawatts of renewable generation by the same year..

Officials from both countries have hinted at joint ventures in solar and wind projects, as well as cooperation on green hydrogen production and battery technology. The presence of senior representatives from state‑owned enterprises, including China’s State Grid and India’s Power Grid Corporation, suggests that concrete agreements on cross‑border power transmission could be on the table.The summit also provides a platform for the BRICS members to coordinate their positions on global governance reforms. In particular, the group has long advocated for a greater voice for emerging economies in the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank..

With China’s rapid expansion of its own development banks and the recent launch of a BRICS‑led reserve currency initiative, the dialogue may move beyond rhetoric toward tangible steps, such as establishing a shared clearinghouse for trade settlement or expanding the use of the Chinese yuan in bilateral transactions. Analysts note that any progress on these fronts would have implications for the dominance of the US dollar in international finance.Security discussions will likely touch upon the volatile situation in Ukraine and the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. While Russia and China have consistently opposed sanctions against Moscow, India has maintained a more balanced stance, calling for a “peaceful resolution” without endorsing either side..

The BRICS communiqué is expected to reaffirm the principle of non‑intervention while urging diplomatic dialogue. Observers will also watch for statements on counter‑terrorism cooperation, particularly in light of recent attacks in Afghanistan and the Sahel region, where several BRICS members have vested security interests.Climate change, a subject that has gained prominence in recent summits, will be another key agenda item. The bloc collectively accounts for more than half of global greenhouse‑gas emissions, and its members have pledged to align their Nationally Determined Contributions with the Paris Agreement..

A joint declaration on “green development” is anticipated, potentially outlining a roadmap for collaborative research, technology sharing and financing of climate‑resilient infrastructure. The inclusion of South Africa, a country heavily reliant on coal, adds a layer of complexity to the negotiations, as the group seeks to balance economic development with environmental commitments.Cultural and people‑to‑people exchanges will also be highlighted during the three‑day event. A series of side programmes, including art exhibitions, film screenings and academic forums, will run alongside the official meetings..

These activities aim to foster a sense of shared identity among the diverse member states and counter narratives that portray BRICS as merely a geopolitical counterweight to the West. Organisers hope that the soft‑power dimension will help cement longer‑term partnerships beyond the summit’s formal outcomes.The media presence in New Delhi is unprecedented, with over 1,500 journalists from more than 80 countries accredited to cover the summit. This heightened visibility reflects the growing global interest in how BRICS will navigate an increasingly fragmented international landscape..

Reporters from major news outlets have been granted access to closed‑door sessions, a move intended to promote transparency, though some critics argue that the level of access remains limited compared to the openness of G7 meetings.As the summit draws to a close, the final communiqué will be scrutinised for any divergences among the members, especially on contentious issues such as the Ukraine war and the role of the United Nations Security Council. Historically, BRICS statements have been deliberately vague to accommodate the varied foreign‑policy priorities of its constituents. Whether this year’s document will break that pattern and present a more cohesive stance remains uncertain..

Nonetheless, the convergence of economic ambition, strategic dialogue and shared concerns over global governance suggests that the group is seeking to cement its relevance in a world where traditional alliances are being reassessed.In the immediate aftermath of Xi’s visit, the tone set in New Delhi could influence bilateral relations for years to come. A successful engagement may pave the way for expanded trade corridors, joint infrastructure.