China's Xi Jinping to visit India for first time in seven years as New Delhi hosts BRICS Summit

Chinese President Xi Jinping is set to travel to India for the BRICS Summit this week, ET Bureau reported, marking his first visit to the country in seven years and putting the spotlight on a possible meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi as New Delhi and Beijing attempt to rebuild ties after years of tensions. The visit is expected to be formally announced later today.

Xi's visit will be among the most closely watched diplomatic engagements at the 18th BRICS Summit, which India will host on September 12 and 13. PM Modi and Xi are expected to meet on the sidelines of the gathering, at a time when political engagement between the Asian neighbours has improved but significant economic and strategic differences remain.

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The visit comes against the backdrop of a gradual thaw in relations following the sharp deterioration triggered by the deadly border clashes in eastern Ladakh in 2020, which killed 20 Indian and four Chinese soldiers.

India and China have stepped up high-level engagement over the past two years, including talks aimed at stabilising the border and restoring diplomatic and economic exchanges. PM Modi also visited China last year, while the two leaders briefly met earlier this month at a regional forum in Kyrgyzstan.