Chinese President Xi Jinping departs New Delhi on Sunday, September 13, 2026, after wrapping up his engagements at the two-day 18th BRICS Summit. The trip marked Xi’s first visit to India in nearly seven years, a gap that had persisted amid strained ties following the 2020 Galwan border clash.
Xi Jinping’s Schedule Before He Left
Xi attended both sessions of the summit at Bharat Mandapam, the venue hosting BRICS leaders from around the world. His only bilateral meeting during the visit was with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, held on the sidelines of the summit. No other one-on-one meetings with foreign leaders were reported during his stay.
What the Modi-Xi Meeting Covered
During the bilateral talks, Xi said China and India should view their relationship from a strategic, long-term perspective. Modi thanked Xi for China’s support during India’s BRICS chairmanship and welcomed the chance to discuss bilateral cooperation directly.
Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to a fair and mutually acceptable resolution of the India-China boundary question. They also acknowledged steady progress in relations since their last meetings, pointing to record trade and resumed institutional exchanges as signs the reset is holding.
What Comes Next
With Xi’s departure, the summit’s marquee bilateral engagement is complete. China is set to take over the BRICS rotating chairmanship following this summit, setting up a new phase of coordination between the two Asian powers heading into next year.
