Industry Odisha Bureau, Sep 13: Xi Jinping described India and China as partners, not rivals, during his New Delhi visit. Modi kept border peace central to bilateral progress. The two leaders met alongside the BRICS Summit.
Xi Pushes India-China Partnership
Chinese President Xi Jinping visited New Delhi during September 12-13, 2026. His trip coincided with the BRICS Summit. Xi said China and India are “partners rather than rivals, and development opportunities rather than threats to each other.” He called this a strategic judgment reflecting both nations’ interests. Xi urged greater economic cooperation between the two countries. He also linked closer ties to shared Global South responsibilities.
Modi Keeps Border Peace Central
Xi called for parallel progress on relations and boundary talks. Modi placed different emphasis on sequencing. He stressed that border peace remained an essential foundation. Continued bilateral development depended on that stability, Modi said. The formulations reflected differing priorities rather than open disagreement. Xi’s visit came seven years after tensions following the 2020 Galwan clash. He said resumed institutional exchanges should be cherished.
India-China Trade Hits Record $151 Billion
Bilateral trade reached $151 billion during FY26. Imports from China to India totalled $131.6 billion. This points to a substantial trade imbalance favouring Beijing. Economic ties have expanded even as border questions remain unresolved. The scale of trade underscores deep commercial interdependence between the neighbours.
BRICS Focuses on Tariffs and Multilateralism
Xi used his BRICS address to criticise rising unilateralism. He opposed excessive tariff measures and protectionism. Xi backed the WTO-centred multilateral trading system. He also called for broader WTO reform. The BRICS New Delhi Declaration separately raised concerns about unilateral tariffs. Xi’s remarks came against a backdrop of US tariff policy and regional conflicts.
Xi Pushes Stronger Global South Role
Xi called BRICS a platform for the Global South’s growing voice. He described a multipolar world as an accelerating trend. Xi urged India and China to coordinate more closely. He named the UN, SCO and G20 as key forums. He also called for a ceasefire and political settlement in West Asia. Xi reiterated support for a two-state solution on Palestine.
AI and Supply Chains Enter BRICS Agenda
Xi proposed a BRICS initiative on AI-enabled industrialisation. He warned that decoupling would not stop development. Supply-chain restrictions featured among his concerns. China will assume the BRICS chair next year. Xi framed this as a moment for deeper coordination.
Strategic Caution Persists
Xi’s partnership rhetoric did not erase underlying strategic competition. The border sequencing gap between Xi and Modi remains notable. Record trade coexists with a heavily skewed import balance. BRICS cooperation continues alongside unresolved boundary questions. India-China relations therefore combine economic engagement with continued strategic caution.
