Key Takeaways
- Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in New Delhi for a BRICS summit.
- The summit will focus on conflicts in the Middle East, Ukraine, and global trade issues.
- Ties between India and China remain strained due to an unresolved border dispute.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has arrived in New Delhi for a two-day BRICS summit, which will also include leaders from India, Russia, and Iran. The summit, overshadowed by ongoing geopolitical tensions, aims to address issues such as conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine, as well as global trade and energy security.
The arrival of Xi, who last visited India in 2019, marks a significant step in the cautious thaw between the two nuclear-armed rivals. His visit was met with a red-carpet welcome, including an honour guard and traditional dancers, reflecting the importance of the meeting.
Despite the warm reception, deep mistrust remains between India and China, particularly over their contested Himalayan border, which stretches for about 3,500 kilometres. The underlying territorial dispute has led to heavy military deployments on both sides.
During his stay, Xi is scheduled to hold face-to-face talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The focus of these discussions is expected to be on resolving the border issue, with both sides acknowledging the need for enhanced cooperation and communication.
Modi also held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who visited India in December 2025. India's strategic partnership with Russia is crucial, especially as it navigates the energy crisis caused by the US-Iran war and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, also in New Delhi, expressed concerns over the pressure on Iran, stating that it has reached a critical and dangerous stage due to military aggression by the United States and Israel. India maintains cordial relations with Iran, despite the geopolitical complexities.
The BRICS forum, established in 2009, aims to give major emerging economies a greater voice in global institutions. Modi highlighted that BRICS nations represent 50 per cent of the world's population, 40 per cent of global GDP, and more than 2 per cent of global trade. However, the inclusion of countries with differing positions on the US-Israel war, such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, adds complexity to the summit.
While the summit is expected to yield some progress, the underlying tensions between India and China, as well as the broader geopolitical landscape, will continue to pose significant challenges.
