Full Breakdown
BRBRICS Summit in New Delhi: A Turning Point for India-China Relations and Global South Cooperation
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event – Leaders Meet Amid a Revived India-China Dialogue
On September 12, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS summit in New Delhi, marking Xi’s first visit to India in seven years. The two-day gathering (September 12-13) concluded with the unanimous adoption of the “New Delhi Declaration,” a 45-page statement that expressed “deep concern” over Middle-East tensions, condemned unilateral tariff measures and called for multilateralism, while avoiding direct references to the United States, Russia-Ukraine or Iran-UAE disputes.
Background & Context – From Border Clash to Diplomatic Thaw
The bilateral meeting followed a 2020 border skirmish that killed 20 Indian and four Chinese soldiers and froze high-level economic talks. Since late 2024, both capitals have pursued a “strategic and long-term” perspective, resuming border talks, reinstating direct flights and easing some investment restrictions. The BRICS platform offered a neutral venue for the leaders to signal a reset without committing to a formal security pact.
Data & Statistics – Trade, Membership and Economic Weight
- BRICS now comprises 11 members, representing roughly 40 % of global GDP and 28 % of global output.
- Bilateral trade reached a record $155.6 billion (Chinese customs) versus $151.1 billion (Indian analysts), a discrepancy of about $4.5 billion.
- India’s trade deficit with China exceeds $100 billion, with Chinese imports at $132 billion in FY 2025/26.
Official Statements & Responses – Summaries of Government Positions
- China’s foreign ministry, citing President Xi, reiterated that China-India relations are “partners rather than rivals” and urged both sides to “cherish” the detente, expand people-to-people exchanges and address economic concerns through “mutual respect and trust.”
- BRICS joint declaration (adopted September 13) urged maximum restraint in the Middle East, condemned “unilateral tariff and non-tariff measures” that distort trade, and called for “dialogue, consultation and diplomacy” to resolve international disputes.
Criticism & Opposition – Concerns Over China’s Influence and Trade Architecture
- (Tanvi Madan, Reuters).
- Observers from the Independent noted that the declaration’s muted language on the Russia-Ukraine and Iran-UAE conflicts reflected the difficulty of achieving consensus among an increasingly diverse membership, raising questions about the bloc’s ability to act decisively on security issues.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps – Trade Figures and Border Activity
- Trade volume figures differ: Chinese customs cite $155.6 billion (2025) while Indian analysts report $151.1 billion for the same period, a gap that has not been reconciled in official statements.
- Satellite imagery reported by the Independent suggested Chinese activity in the contested Arunachal Pradesh region on September 12, but the Indian foreign ministry offered no comment, leaving the extent of any border escalation unclear.
What’s Next – Upcoming BRICS Initiatives and Bilateral Follow-Up
- China will assume the BRICS rotating presidency in 2027 and has pledged to promote open-source AI and smart manufacturing across member states (China Daily, September 15).
- India’s central bank is expected to implement a 25-basis-point repo-rate increase in October, with a second hike projected for December.
- Both sides have indicated a desire to institutionalise regular strategic dialogues to sustain the diplomatic momentum generated at the summit.