China's Xi lands in Delhi for BRICS summit and talks with Modi - Reuters

**China’s President Xi Jinping lands in Delhi for a high‑profile BRICS summit and bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.** Arriving at Indira Gandhi International Airport on a state‑level visit, Xi is the first Chinese head of state to set foot in India since 2017. The tightly choreographed 24‑hour stay is being overseen by an estimated 15,000 security personnel from both nations, reflecting the sensitivity of the trip amid lingering border tensions and robust public scrutiny. The agenda centers on the BRICS leaders’ summit scheduled for the next day, where India, China, Brazil, Russia and South Africa will discuss reforms to global financial institutions, trade cooperation, and the “enormous potential” of the grouping, as highlighted by Indian media.

In the bilateral component of the visit, Modi is expected to host Xi for a series of talks that will address “fairness and justice” in the bilateral relationship, a phrasing echoed in statements from both sides. Topics on the table include the resumption of direct China Southern Airlines flights between Guangzhou and Delhi after a six‑year hiatus, the revival of trade routes that once saw bilateral commerce exceed $100 billion, and mechanisms to prevent future border incidents along the Line of Actual Control. Observers note that while both leaders have signaled a willingness to “reset” ties, substantive progress will hinge on concrete agreements on trade tariffs, investment protections, and confidence‑building measures.

The visit also carries symbolic weight. Xi’s arrival coincides with India’s strategic outreach to multilateral forums, seeking to balance its relations with the United States while deepening engagement with China. Indian officials have underscored that the meeting is an opportunity to reaffirm a “peaceful, stable and prosperous” neighbourhood, echoing broader regional aspirations. As the BRICS summit looms, the Delhi talks could set the tone for China’s role in the bloc and shape the trajectory of Indo‑Chinese cooperation in the coming years.