Seven-year gap to end; Xi Jinping likely to visit India for BRICS Summit

NEW DELHI: Chinese President Xi Jinping is likely to visit India after a gap of seven years to attend the BRICS summit scheduled to be held in New Delhi on September 12 and 13.

Xi's visit has not yet been officially confirmed. However, preparations are reportedly under way in Delhi, with Chinese officials working on hotel and security arrangements for the anticipated visit. Two Indian sources also said Xi could be accompanied by around 400 officials.

The 25th round of Special Representatives' talks between National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi was held in Beijing on Tuesday, with the two sides discussing the India-China boundary question, peace and tranquillity along the border and ways to improve bilateral relations.

The two sides also reviewed progress in implementing the consensus reached between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Xi Jinping in Kazan in October 2024 and Tianjin in August 2025.

Trade, direct air services and people-to-people exchanges are among the areas in which India and China have been working to restore engagement. These efforts have gathered pace following the 2024 disengagement agreement along the border.

Xi last visited India in 2019.

Doval-Wang talks

Doval and Wang Yi discussed the India-China boundary question, peace and tranquillity along the border and the improvement of bilateral relations during their meeting in Beijing. The two Special Representatives agreed to continue efforts towards a political settlement of the boundary question, keeping in view the overall and long-term interests of both countries.

Before meeting Wang Yi, Doval held talks with Chinese Vice-President Han Zheng in Beijing. Their discussions included ways to maintain peace and tranquillity in the border areas and further strengthen bilateral relations.