Xi Jinping Likely to Visit India After Seven Years With a 400-Member Delegation
New Delhi | August 25, 2026 | The Global Journal
Chinese President Xi Jinping is likely to visit India next month to attend the BRICS Summit in New Delhi on September 12 and 13, according to Reuters, although Beijing has not yet officially confirmed his visit. Indian sources said Chinese officials are working on hotel arrangements and security protocols for the possible trip.
If the visit goes ahead, it would be Xi’s first trip to India since 2019. According to the sources cited by Reuters, he could be accompanied by a delegation of around 400 officials, more than twice the fewer-than-200-member delegation that accompanied him in 2019. 
India-China Relations in Focus
Although the visit would be primarily for the BRICS summit, analysts and officials see it as a potential opportunity to further stabilize India-China relations, which were badly strained after the deadly 2020 border clashes.
Twenty Indian soldiers and four Chinese soldiers were killed in the 2020 confrontation. The resulting military standoff lasted for four years before the two sides reached a disengagement agreement in October 2024. However, the broader boundary dispute remains unresolved.
A recent face-off between Indian and Chinese patrols near a remote border area has again highlighted the importance of maintaining peace and stability along the disputed frontier.
Doval-Wang Talks Ahead of Possible Xi Visit
Xi’s potential visit comes as Indian National Security Adviser Ajit Doval is in Beijing for the 25th round of Special Representatives’ talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi over the boundary issue.
China’s Foreign Ministry confirmed that Wang and Doval are co-chairing the latest round of talks on August 25, with the discussions covering the boundary question as well as broader bilateral and international issues.
No Final Confirmation Yet
The final details of Xi’s travel plans and any possible bilateral meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi have not yet been finalized.
China’s Foreign Ministry said Beijing places great importance on BRICS cooperation and supports India’s role as this year’s chair and host. However, it said it currently had no information to provide regarding Xi’s visit. India’s Foreign Ministry has also not commented.
Xi skipped the 2025 BRICS summit in Brazil. His potential presence at this year’s New Delhi summit would therefore carry significance not only for BRICS but also for the future direction of India-China relations.
