Modi and Xi are set to meet at BRICS with trade and border issues in spotlight - CNBC

**Modi‑Xi Summit at BRICS Draws Global Attention**

New Delhi – Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping are set to hold a high‑profile encounter on the sidelines of the BRICS summit, which begins on September 13 in Delhi. The two leaders will meet for the first time in more than a decade, and their discussions are expected to focus on two of the most sensitive aspects of the bilateral relationship: trade and the unresolved border dispute along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Both sides have signalled a willingness to adopt a “strategic, long‑term” perspective, with Chinese officials emphasizing the need to move beyond short‑term frictions and Indian diplomats urging a pragmatic approach to economic cooperation.

Trade ties, already the world’s third‑largest bilateral commerce relationship, have been strained by mutual suspicion and regulatory hurdles. Indian manufacturers have complained about limited market access for pharmaceuticals and technology, while Chinese exporters point to India’s protective measures on renewable‑energy components. Analysts from Reuters note that the upcoming talks could pave the way for a “modest but meaningful” reset, potentially reviving stalled negotiations on a comprehensive trade agreement and encouraging greater investment in the Indo‑Pacific supply chain. Simultaneously, border talks are likely to address recent skirmishes in the Ladakh region, where both armies have accused each other of incursions, a situation that has heightened nationalist sentiment on both sides.

Security preparations for Xi’s visit underscore the delicate nature of the meeting. NDTV reports that the Chinese president will travel to India in a heavily armoured limousine, a symbol of the extensive protocols in place to ensure his safety amid heightened regional tensions. The Hindu adds that the Indian government has deployed additional security forces along the summit venues and the diplomatic corridor linking the BRICS headquarters to the venue. While the meeting is framed as a diplomatic thaw, observers caution that deep‑seated mistrust will continue to shape the discourse, and any breakthroughs will require sustained political will beyond the summit’s 24‑hour window.