Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a bilateral meeting on 12 September in New Delhi, on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS summit. It was Xi's first visit to India since 2019 and the first high‑level encounter after a deadly 2020 clash along their disputed Himalayan frontier.
Both leaders described the talks as frank and constructive, focusing on the bilateral partnership and the urgent need to resolve border concerns. Xi urged the use of political wisdom grounded in mutual respect and understanding, calling for a complementary approach that would preserve peace and stability along the 3,500‑kilometre mountain border adjacent to Tibet. Modi stressed adherence to existing agreements and understandings on border issues, reaffirming a commitment to a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable solution.
The meeting also highlighted trade, with China remaining India’s largest trading partner. Official data show bilateral goods trade reaching roughly $151 billion in the 2025‑26 fiscal year. Both sides pledged to expand large‑scale, high‑quality financial cooperation, support an equitable and sustainable global order, and promote an open, inclusive form of economic globalization.
Since the 2020 clash, ties have gradually improved through restored flights, visa facilitation and senior‑level contacts, though the core territorial dispute remains unresolved and troops continue to be deployed along the frontier. The joint statement underscored the leaders’ resolve to deepen cooperation while seeking a durable, mutually beneficial resolution to the long‑standing border dispute.