Chinese President Xi Jinping touched down in New Delhi to attend the BRICS Summit 2026, his first visit to India in seven years. The arrival marks a significant diplomatic moment as relations between New Delhi and Beijing attempt recovery after the prolonged Eastern Ladakh standoff that began in 2020 froze bilateral ties.
His meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to dominate discussions. Both sides have ramped up engagement on boundary issues in recent months, including an eight-point consensus reached during the latest Special Representatives’ talks. But can years of mistrust be set aside in one summit?
The event has drawn multiple world leaders to India’s capital. Modi held a bilateral meeting with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on the sidelines of the summit. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa also met with Adani Group chairman Gautam Adani during his Delhi stay, highlighting the business dimensions accompanying the diplomatic proceedings.
The summit represents a crucial test for India’s regional diplomacy. With Xi’s return after such a long absence, all eyes will be on whether tangible progress emerges from the high-stakes conversations scheduled throughout the gathering.
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