New Delhi, Sept 2026 : Chinese President Xi Jinping departed from New Delhi on Sunday after attending the 18th BRICS Summit hosted by India, where he participated in key summit events and held a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Xi attended the two-day BRICS Summit at Bharat Mandapam, joining leaders of other member countries in discussions on global and regional issues. During his visit, he also participated in a joint tree plantation drive in the national capital and visited the Bharat Innovates Exposition at Bharat Mandapam along with other BRICS leaders.
A key highlight of Xi's visit was his meeting with Prime Minister Modi, during which the two leaders discussed the state of India-China relations and agreed on the importance of maintaining a strategic and long-term perspective in bilateral ties.
According to a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the leaders welcomed the steady progress in bilateral relations since their previous meeting in Tianjin in August 2025. They reiterated that differences between the two countries should not turn into disputes.
Modi emphasised that India-China relations should be guided by three principles — mutual respect, mutual sensitivity and mutual interest.
The Prime Minister also stressed that peace and tranquillity along the border remain an essential foundation for the continued development of bilateral relations. He called on both sides to adhere to existing agreements and understandings concerning border-related matters.
The two leaders expressed their commitment to finding a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable solution to the boundary question. The MEA said the resolution should be pursued from the broader political perspective of India-China relations and keeping in mind the long-term interests of the people of both countries.
The discussions also covered efforts to strengthen people-to-people relations. Both sides took note of progress in this area and underlined the importance of promoting cultural exchanges, expanding business linkages and facilitating greater mobility between India and China.
Economic and trade relations also figured prominently in the talks. Modi and Xi emphasised the need to address concerns on both sides, including structural trade imbalances and supply chain-related challenges.
The two leaders also discussed the importance of creating meaningful and predictable market access to support stronger and more balanced economic engagement between the two countries.
On regional and global matters, Modi and Xi agreed that India and China should continue working to expand areas of common ground and cooperate in addressing shared challenges. The discussions reflected an emphasis on maintaining dialogue and managing differences through diplomatic engagement.
The Prime Minister also appreciated China's support for India's BRICS chairship and its contribution to the successful conduct of the 18th BRICS Summit.
Xi's visit and his meeting with Modi came against the backdrop of ongoing efforts by the two countries to stabilise bilateral ties and strengthen communication following tensions along the India-China border.
The latest discussions indicate a continued focus on maintaining peace and stability along the border while gradually expanding cooperation in trade, culture, people-to-people exchanges and other areas of mutual interest.
With the conclusion of the BRICS Summit and his bilateral engagements, Xi departed New Delhi on Sunday, bringing his latest India visit to an end.
