Chinese President Xi Jinping departed Beijing on Saturday morning for New Delhi to attend the 18th BRICS Summit at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. His schedule includes a bilateral meeting with Modi later in the day.

Xi is accompanied by senior officials including Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee, as well as Wang Yi, China’s foreign minister and a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee.

According to Xinhua, Xi is expected to advance proposals on Global South cooperation during the summit, continuing the themes he highlighted at the recent Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Bishkek.

Both BRICS and the SCO have expanded their membership and networks of developing partners. Together, their members represent more than half of the world’s population and around 30 per cent of the global economy.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the SCO’s founding and the 20th anniversary of the BRICS cooperation mechanism. Over the years, both groupings have broadened their reach and influence. Xi has consistently supported their expansion and introduced initiatives such as the “BRICS Plus” cooperation approach and the concept of building an SCO community with a shared future.

At the SCO Summit, Xi emphasised stronger cooperation among Global South nations. He described the SCO as rooted in the Global South, with its heart beating in the Global South, and as an important pillar of South-South cooperation. He also noted that BRICS stands at the forefront of the Global South.

China’s Ambassador to India, Xu Feihong, underlined Beijing’s commitment to building a constructive relationship with New Delhi. He stated that China intends to act on the strategic guidance of both leaders, handle bilateral relations from a strategic height and long-term perspective, step up communication, enhance cooperation, properly manage differences, and remain good neighbours and partners who help each other succeed.

Xi’s visit is particularly significant as it marks his first trip to India since his informal meeting with Modi in Mamallapuram in 2019 during the second India-China Informal Summit.

The visit also comes amid efforts by both sides to stabilise ties following years of tensions along the Line of Actual Control.

BRICS has emerged as a key platform for coordinating economic policy among major emerging economies. It serves as the principal forum where these nations shape common positions on global governance. Through sustained dialogue, it has become a channel for advancing the interests of the Global South within multilateral institutions.

Its agenda spans development, finance, technology, trade and people-to-people exchanges. The grouping reflects the growing economic weight and aspirations of emerging economies globally. It provides members with a platform to share experiences and address common challenges.

ANI