- Xi's 12-13 September trip for the BRICS summit was his first visit to India since October 2019.
- Modi called border peace the 'essential basis' of ties and raised the trade imbalance and supply chains.
- The BBC noted a cordial handshake rather than a hug, and that Xi stayed under 24 hours and skipped the gala dinner.
Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in New Delhi on 12 September 2026 for the 18th BRICS summit, his first visit to India in seven years. In talks that evening, Modi and Xi welcomed 'steady progress' since their August 2025 meeting in Tianjin, the MEA said. Modi called border peace the 'essential basis' for ties and said relations should rest on 'mutual respect, mutual sensitivity and mutual interest'. China's readout said the leaders agreed the two countries 'should be partners'.
India-China trade hit a record $151.10 billion in 2025-26, with an Indian deficit of $112.16 billion, BusinessLine reported. The talks covered market access and supply chains, including Chinese curbs on rare-earth exports that Indian manufacturers depend on.
Claim by claim
Xi Jinping's September 2026 trip was his first visit to India in seven years.
The BBC and Swarajya both report it; his previous visit was the October 2019 Mamallapuram summit.
BBC News · SwarajyaIndia's trade deficit with China was $112.16 billion in 2025-26.
BusinessLine reports two-way trade of $151.10 billion and Chinese exports to India of $131.63 billion in FY26.
The Hindu BusinessLineChina's readout said India's positions on Taiwan and Tibet remain unchanged.
Stated in the Chinese foreign ministry's account; India's own readout did not mention it.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of ChinaWhat each side says
The MEA readout says both sides should take a 'strategic and long term perspective', that border peace is essential, and that they must address the 'structural trade imbalance', supply chains and 'meaningful and predictable market access'.
Press Information BureauChina's readout says the leaders agreed China and India 'should be partners' rather than rivals and quotes Modi as saying India's foreign policy is independent, its relations with China are 'not affected by any third party', and India will fully support China's BRICS chairship in 2027.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of ChinaStep by step
Xi lands in New Delhi; Modi and Xi hold talks on the sidelines of the BRICS summit.
Summit closes; Xi leaves after a stay of under 24 hours, per the BBC.
Not yet known
- ?Whether India will further ease curbs on Chinese investment; BusinessLine, citing a source, reported Delhi wants more border peace first.
Sources
5 outlets across the spectrum. Leanings are a rough guide to who reported it, not a verdict on accuracy.
- Press Information BureauPrime Minister's bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of ChinaPresident Xi Jinping Meets with Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India
- The Hindu BusinessLineModi-Xi talks: Border peace, trade imbalance key to India-China reset
- BBC NewsIran war reshapes Brics ties but also exposes divisions
- SwarajyaChina Ends Speculation Over Xi Jinping's BRICS Attendance, Confirms First India Visit In Nearly Seven Years
Spasht writes original summaries. Follow the links to read each outlet's own report. Revision 1.