Key Takeaways
- Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in New Delhi for the BRICS summit.
- This is Xi’s first visit to India in seven years.
- The summit aims to rebuild ties between India and China after a military clash in 2020.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has arrived in New Delhi for the summit of leaders of the BRICS group of countries, marking his first visit to India in seven years. The visit comes as the two Asian neighbours seek to cautiously rebuild their strained relations, which were damaged after a military clash on their disputed Himalayan border in 2020, resulting in the deaths of 20 Indian and four Chinese soldiers.
At the airport, Xi was greeted with a red carpet welcome and traditional Indian dances performed by women. The visit is expected to include a meeting between Xi and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, their third in three years, scheduled for Saturday evening.
A spokesperson for China’s foreign ministry stated that China is willing to work together with India, viewing their two-way relations from a strategic and long-term perspective, properly managing differences, and being 'good neighbours and friends, as well as mutually supportive partners.'
The BRICS summit, which includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, is being held amid geopolitical tensions triggered by the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran, the Russia-Ukraine war, and the disruptions these conflicts have caused to global energy, trade, and transport.
The summit is expected to focus on strengthening economic and political ties among the member countries, with particular emphasis on cooperation in trade, investment, and infrastructure development.
The visit is significant as it aims to improve the diplomatic relationship between India and China, which have been at odds over territorial disputes and other issues. The two leaders are expected to discuss a range of topics, including regional stability, economic cooperation, and global challenges.
The BRICS group, which also includes Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates, is a platform for dialogue and cooperation among emerging economies. The summit is expected to address issues such as climate change, public health, and technological innovation.
The arrival of President Xi in Delhi is seen as a positive step towards improving the bilateral relationship between the two countries, which have a long history of cooperation in various fields, including trade, culture, and education.
