NEW DELHI – UNS : Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in New Delhi on Saturday for a two-day BRICS summit, with conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine, global trade tensions and energy security expected to dominate discussions.
Xi received a red-carpet welcome featuring a military honour guard and traditional dancers. His visit, the first to India since 2019, marks a significant step in efforts to improve relations between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.
Relations deteriorated following a deadly border clash in 2020 but have gradually improved through restored flights, visas and high-level exchanges.
However, their territorial dispute remains unresolved, with substantial military deployments along the roughly 3,500-kilometre frontier.
Xi is scheduled to meet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday. Beijing has expressed readiness to strengthen communication and cooperation while managing differences with New Delhi.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian are also attending the summit.
Modi held separate talks with both leaders on Friday.
India’s close strategic relationship with Russia and its energy purchases from Moscow remain significant amid the Ukraine war and Western pressure.
Meanwhile, Pezeshkian warned that pressure on Iran had reached a critical stage following US and Israeli military action.
The gathering of the 11-nation bloc comes as members seek greater influence in global affairs while navigating competing strategic interests and regional rivalries.
