Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in New Delhi on Saturday to attend the BRICS summit and hold talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This marks Xi's first visit to India in seven years also coming as the two neighbours cautiously work to rebuild ties strained since a deadly 2020 border clash in the Himalayas that killed 20 Indian and four Chinese soldiers.
Xi was welcomed with a red-carpet ceremony and traditional Indian dance performances upon arrival. His meeting with Modi as scheduled for Saturday evening will be their third in three years according to China's foreign ministry.
A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said Beijing is willing to view its relationship with India from a long-term, strategic perspective, manage differences responsibly and act as "good neighbours and mutually supportive partners."
The BRICS bloc includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates. This year's summit takes place against a backdrop of heightened global tensions including the U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war both of which have disrupted global energy, trade and transport networks.
The visit signals a tentative diplomatic thaw between Asia's two largest economies, though analysts note deep-rooted strategic mistrust remains between the two nations.
