In a significant diplomatic development, Chinese President Xi Jinping is set to visit India for the first time in nearly seven years. Scheduled to attend the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on September 12-13, Xi is expected to hold a closely-watched meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This visit marks an important moment as India and China endeavor to stabilize their relationship, which has been strained since the 2020 military standoff along the Line of Actual Control in eastern Ladakh. The Galwan Valley clash in June 2020, which resulted in the deaths of 20 Indian soldiers and at least four Chinese troops, had notably soured bilateral ties.
The thaw in relations began after the two nations reached an agreement in October 2024 to disengage forces at Depsang and Demchok. Following this, Modi and Xi met on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in Kazan, where they concurred on reviving mechanisms to address the border disputes and strengthen bilateral relations. Progress has been made since then, with the resumption of direct flights between India and China, the revival of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, and ongoing diplomatic and military talks aimed at ensuring peace along the border.
In August, a significant breakthrough was achieved when 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 posts. Further, a corps commander-level meeting took place in the eastern sector on September 6, demonstrating continued diplomatic engagement between the two countries.
Despite these developments, India maintains that peace and tranquility along the border are crucial for fully normalizing relations. The discussions between Xi and Modi are likely to shed light on the extent to which both sides are willing to advance the stabilization process while addressing the unresolved boundary issues. The BRICS summit will also serve as a platform for leaders to deliberate on global political and economic challenges, encompassing conflicts, economic cooperation, and reforms to multilateral institutions.