China: Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in New Delhi on Saturday to attend the BRICS summit, where leaders are expected to discuss regional conflicts, trade, energy security and other international issues.
Xi’s visit is his first to India since 2019 and comes as Beijing and New Delhi seek to improve relations following a deadly military clash along their disputed Himalayan border in 2020.
What is Xi expected to discuss with Modi?
Xi is scheduled to hold face-to-face talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday, according to India’s foreign ministry.
China said it was ready to strengthen communication and cooperation with India while properly managing differences between the two countries.
The two sides have gradually restored high-level contacts, flights and visa arrangements, although their territorial dispute remains unresolved.
India and China continue to maintain military deployments along their roughly 3,500-kilometre disputed border.
What issues will dominate the BRICS summit?
The two-day BRICS summit is expected to focus on conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine, global trade and energy security.
The expanded BRICS grouping includes major emerging economies as well as countries with differing positions on the Middle East conflict.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday, while Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian also held talks with Modi in New Delhi.
BRICS was established in 2009 as a forum for major emerging economies seeking greater influence in international institutions.
The grouping has expanded in recent years and now includes countries including China, India, Russia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
The BRICS foreign ministers failed to agree on a joint statement during their meeting in New Delhi in May.