Chinese President Xi Jinping is set to visit India for the first time in nearly seven years, attending the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on September 12-13. His meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is anticipated to attract significant attention as both nations aim to stabilize their relations after years of tension. The bilateral ties were severely strained following the 2020 military standoff along the Line of Actual Control in eastern Ladakh, which led to a deadly clash in the Galwan Valley resulting in the deaths of 20 Indian soldiers and at least four Chinese troops.
Relations between the two countries have seen some improvement since their October 2024 agreement to disengage at Depsang and Demchok, which marked a turning point in their diplomatic interactions. Following this, Modi and Xi met on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in Kazan, where they decided to revive mechanisms for addressing the longstanding border dispute and rebuilding bilateral ties. As a result, the two nations have resumed direct flights, reinstated the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, and continued diplomatic and military discussions to maintain peace along the border.
In August, significant progress was made when India’s National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi reached an eight-point consensus. This agreement included additional military meeting points, the establishment of new hotline channels, and the reopening of three designated border trading points. The two countries also conducted a corps commander-level meeting in the eastern sector on September 6 to further their dialogue.
Despite these efforts, India maintains that achieving peace and tranquility along the border is crucial for fully normalizing relations. The upcoming discussions between Xi and Modi are expected to shed light on how committed both sides are to advancing the stabilization process while addressing the unresolved boundary disputes. The BRICS summit will also offer a platform for leaders to discuss major global political and economic issues, including conflicts, economic cooperation, and reforms to multilateral institutions.