China's Xi Jinping likely to visit India for BRICS, 1st since Galwan standoff
Chinese President Xi Jinping is likely to visit India in September to attend the BRICS Summit in New Delhi, marking his first trip to the
Chinese President Xi Jinping is likely to visit India in September to attend the BRICS Summit in New Delhi, marking his first trip to the country since the 2020 Galwan Valley clash that pushed bilateral ties to the lowest point in decades. The visit, scheduled for September 12-13, would mark a significant milestone in the gradual normalisation of India-China relations after years of military standoffs and diplomatic efforts following the eastern Ladakh border tensions. Read Full Story Xi, who has been serving as the President of the Communist nation since 2013, has visited India three times, with his last visit taking place in October 2019, months before the military confrontation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) fundamentally altered bilateral ties.
According to sources, New Delhi and Beijing are expected to step up diplomatic engagement ahead of Xi's proposed visit. Security Adviser Ajit Doval is likely to travel to China for high-level discussions, although the dates are still being finalised. A meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC) on India-China border affairs is also expected in the coming weeks, followed by talks between the two countries' Special Representatives on the boundary question. The upcoming Special Representatives' dialogue assumes particular significance as it will be the first such meeting since India and China agreed to establish a new expert group and a working group under the WMCC framework to carry forward discussions on the long-pending boundary dispute.
The consultations are expected to help advance technical and diplomatic engagement on border management while creating conditions for broader political dialogue. The series of high-level meetings reflects a concerted effort by both sides to preserve the momentum in bilateral engagement after years of strained relations. The diplomatic outreach is aimed not only at addressing unresolved issues along the LAC but also at rebuilding strategic trust, preventing fresh border tensions and expanding cooperation in areas where their interests converge. If the visit materialises, Xi's presence at the BRICS Summit would carry significance beyond the grouping itself. It would be his first visit to India in nearly six years and his first since the Galwan Valley clash in June 2020.
The trip would be closely watched for the possibility of a bilateral meeting between the Indian and Chinese leadership on the sidelines of the summit, with discussions likely to focus on the boundary dispute, regional security, economic engagement and the future direction of one of Asia's most consequential bilateral relationships. An official announcement confirming Xi's visit is awaited from either New Delhi or Beijing. Ends
The BriefWire