Full Breakdown
Xi Jinping’s Delhi Visit Highlights BRICS Unity Amid War-Era Tensions
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event: Xi’s Attendance at the 18th BRICS Summit and the New Delhi Declaration
Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in New Delhi on September 12, 2026 for the 18th BRICS summit, held under India’s chairmanship. He met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the summit’s sidelines and returned to his hotel, missing the gala dinner hosted by Modi that evening. The summit concluded on September 13, 2026 with the unanimous adoption of a 45-page “New Delhi Declaration.”
Background & Context
BRICS, founded in 2009 by Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, now includes Iran, Indonesia, Egypt, Ethiopia, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. The bloc represents roughly 40 % of the world’s population and about a quarter of global GDP. The summit took place amid Russia’s war in Ukraine and the Iran-U.S. conflict, testing the group’s consensus-building. India-China ties remain strained since the 2020 Galwan Valley clash, prompting confidence-building measures and a special dialogue in August 2025.
Timeline
- August 31, 2025 – Modi and Xi held talks on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Tianjin.
- September 12, 2026 – Xi lands in New Delhi, receives a red-carpet welcome, and begins the two-day summit; bilateral meeting with Modi focuses on border peace, trade and people-to-people links.
- September 13, 2026 – Leaders adopt the New Delhi Declaration; a family-style photo of Modi, Xi and Russian President Vladimir Putin is taken.
- September 21, 2026 (scheduled) – China plans to resume Delhi-Guangzhou flights, signalling deeper economic ties.
Data & Statistics
- Members: 11 countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Iran, Indonesia, Egypt, Ethiopia, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia).
- Population share: ~40 % of the global population.
- Economic weight: ~25 % of global GDP (PPP).
- India-China trade: $155.6 billion in 2025, with a trade deficit for India of over $100 billion.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Almost one-third of the declaration is about international security,” — Mr Pant, vice president of the Observer Research Foundation
- “The weaponisation of technology and critical minerals can hinder our shared progress. Therefore, we have emphasised inclusivity in the adoption of technology,” — Narendra Modi, prime minister
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on why Xi skipped the gala dinner. Both explanations appear in contemporaneous coverage, leaving the precise motive unconfirmed.
Why It Matters / Impact
The summit showed that, despite divergent interests—particularly Russia’s war in Ukraine and Iran’s regional actions—BRICS can still produce a consensus document. Analysts note the muted language reflects the difficulty of reconciling member positions as China prepares to assume the rotating chairmanship in 2027. India’s role in bridging gaps may shape the bloc’s relevance as a counterweight to Western-led institutions.
What’s Next
- 2027 BRICS summit: China will host, providing a platform for Xi’s proposals on AI, digital ecosystems and trade.
- September 21, 2026 (scheduled): Resumption of direct Delhi-Guangzhou flights, a concrete step toward deeper economic integration.
- Ongoing bilateral talks are expected to continue addressing the India-China border dispute and expanding cultural and transport links.