China’s Xi Jinping May Visit India Next Month For BRICS Summit 2026, First Trip In 7 Years
Chinese President Xi Jinping is likely to visit India in September 2026 to attend the upcoming BRICS Summit in New Delhi, according to reports citing people familiar with the matter. If confirmed, the visit would be Xi's first trip to India in seven years and could become an important moment in the efforts by New Delhi and Beijing to stabilise their relationship.
Xi Jinping Expected At BRICS Summit
India is scheduled to host the BRICS Summit on September 12 and 13, 2026, in New Delhi. Xi is expected to attend the summit with a large Chinese delegation, with sources indicating that around 400 officials could accompany him. However, his participation has not yet been officially confirmed, and travel arrangements are reportedly still being finalised.
The possible visit has attracted considerable attention because Xi has not visited India since 2019. His return would therefore mark his first visit to the country in nearly seven years.
Significance For India-China Relations
Xi's potential visit comes against the backdrop of efforts to improve India-China relations following the military tensions and deadly clashes along the Line of Actual Control in 2020.
Relations between the two Asian powers have gradually shown signs of improvement after years of diplomatic and military tensions. Both sides have continued discussions aimed at managing their border dispute while also exploring ways to restore economic and people-to-people ties.
The BRICS Summit could provide an opportunity for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Xi to hold high-level discussions on bilateral issues as well as global economic and geopolitical developments.
Border Talks Ahead Of Xi's Visit
The proposed visit is also taking place as senior Indian and Chinese officials continue negotiations over the boundary question. India's National Security Adviser Ajit Doval travelled to Beijing for the 25th round of Special Representatives talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, with the border issue remaining a key subject of discussion.
The timing of these talks is significant because progress on border-related issues could influence the broader atmosphere surrounding Xi's potential visit.
What Xi's Visit Could Mean
Beyond the BRICS agenda, Xi's presence in New Delhi could send a strong diplomatic signal about the direction of India-China relations. The summit may provide both countries with an opportunity to maintain dialogue despite continuing strategic differences.
At the same time, officials have yet to formally confirm Xi's travel plans. His participation will therefore remain subject to final diplomatic and logistical arrangements.
If the visit goes ahead, Xi's return to India after seven years would be one of the most closely watched diplomatic events of the 2026 BRICS Summit
