Chinese President
Ahead of the summit, China’s Ambassador to India, Xu Feihong, signaled a commitment to stabilizing the relationship. In a statement released on social media, the ambassador emphasized that Beijing intends to work closely with New Delhi to address bilateral concerns, noting that the two countries aim to approach their shared challenges from a long-term, strategic perspective.
Diplomatic Engagement and Bilateral Talks
The upcoming meeting between President Xi and Prime Minister Modi marks the third consecutive year the two leaders have held discussions, following previous engagements in Kazan and Tianjin. According to official statements from both the Chinese embassy and the foreign ministry, the focus of these talks will be on enhancing communication, fostering cooperation, and finding ways to properly manage existing differences.
Ambassador Xu highlighted that the objective is to cultivate a relationship defined by good-neighborliness and mutual support. This sentiment was echoed by Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning, who reiterated that both nations are committed to acting on the strategic guidance provided by their respective leaderships to ensure a stable path forward.
Context of the High-Level Visit
President Xi’s arrival in India comes at a significant moment for regional diplomacy. The visit is his first since the 2020 border tensions in the Galwan Valley, an event that led to a prolonged period of strained relations. Since that time, however, there have been signs of a diplomatic thaw, facilitated by the recent series of meetings between the two heads of state.
The Chinese delegation accompanying President Xi includes senior officials, such as Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China, and Foreign Minister Wang Yi. The bilateral meeting between the President and the Prime Minister is slated for late afternoon, serving as a centerpiece of the broader 18th BRICS Summit, which is being hosted in New Delhi on September 12 and 13.
