The 18th BRICS Summit is officially commencing today in New Delhi, marking a significant moment in global diplomacy as the leaders of the world's major emerging economies gather at the Bharat Mandapam. The eyes of the international community are fixed on India, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chinese President Xi Jinping, and Russian President Vladimir Putin will share a common platform. This summit is particularly noteworthy as it represents countries that account for nearly half of the global population, and the discussions held here are expected to shape the future of the evolving global order.
The High-Stakes Modi-Xi Meeting
One of the most anticipated events of the summit is the bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping. This meeting is scheduled to take place at 5:45 PM today. President Xi Jinping is returning to Indian soil after a gap of approximately 7 years, a period that has seen significant shifts and tensions in the relationship between the two Asian giants. His aircraft is expected to land in Delhi at 12:35 PM, following which the high-profile diplomatic engagements will begin. While the two leaders have met three times in the last three years on foreign soil—including meetings in Kazan and Tianjin—this face-to-face encounter in India carries immense symbolic and strategic weight.
Addressing Border Tensions and Restoring Trust
The relationship between India and China has been under severe strain since the violent clash in the Galwan Valley in 2020. For a long time, the armies of both nations remained in a standoff along the border. This period also saw a rise in economic tensions and calls for boycotting Chinese goods within India. Today's meeting is being viewed as a critical attempt to melt the ice in these frozen relations. The primary focus of the conversation between Modi and Xi is expected to be on reducing border tensions, restoring mutual trust, and defining the future trajectory of their bilateral ties, while mao Ning, the spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, confirmed that both nations are preparing for this bilateral dialogue, noting that this is the third consecutive year the leaders are meeting following their interactions in Kazan and Tianjin.
Economic Cooperation and Trade Deficit Concerns
Beyond security and border issues, the economic relationship between India and China will be a major talking point. Currently, the total trade between the two nations stands at approximately 151 billion dollars. However, there is a significant imbalance, with India importing goods worth 131 billion dollars from China, while exporting only about 20 billion dollars worth of products. This massive trade deficit is a point of concern for New Delhi. During the meeting, India is expected to push for greater market access for Indian companies in China and seek ways to bridge this trade gap. Discussions may also cover the easing of machinery and technology supplies, creating reliable regulations for Chinese investment, and simplifying visa and flight connectivity to facilitate smoother movement of people and business.
BRICS Business Forum and Market Access
The issue of trade was also a highlight at the BRICS Business Forum held just a day before the summit. India has called upon BRICS nations to open their markets to one another. Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal emphasized that India views BRICS as a vital market for its products and wants to reach global markets through trusted partners. He stated that trade with partner countries should be deep, strong, and based on diversified supply chains, while goyal urged BRICS members to open their markets for raw materials and essential minerals, aiming to make trade a tool for the betterment of the people in member nations. On the other hand, Guo Jiakun, a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, described the economic ties between India and China as mutually beneficial and expressed hope that India would provide a fair, transparent, and non-discriminatory business environment for companies from all countries.
China's Perspective on the BRICS Platform
As the world's second-largest economy, China holds a dominant position within BRICS. For China, the summit is an opportunity to advocate for its market to be opened to other members while also using the platform to address global issues like trade wars, climate change, and international conflicts. China views BRICS as an essential forum to counter the trade war and tariff policies associated with US President Donald Trump. In this regard, India and China share some common interests. Chinese journalist Li Jingjing noted that trade wars and tariffs have affected not just China but also India and other nations. She suggested that the leaders of India and China are now trying to find solutions through dialogue and cooperation, emphasizing that no country wants a forced conflict and that resolving disputes through talk is beneficial for the people of India, China, and the US alike.
Modi's Engagements with Putin and Pezeshkian
Ahead of the main summit, Prime Minister Modi held significant one-on-one meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. The meeting with President Putin lasted for about 45 minutes, while the discussion with President Pezeshkian went on for approximately 40 minutes. These meetings were characterized by warmth and coordination. A notable moment captured at the BRICS venue showed PM Modi firmly holding the hand of President Pezeshkian, sending a strong message of solidarity to the world. Through these interactions, PM Modi has consistently messaged that disputes should be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy rather than war. At the BRICS Business Forum, he reiterated that India is providing 'global trust' to the world, signaling that member nations can progress together.
The Significance of Xi's Visit
The Chinese Ambassador to India, Xu Feihong, highlighted the importance of Xi Jinping's visit on social media, noting that this is the third year in a row the leaders are meeting, while he stated that the discussions would focus on advancing bilateral relations and cooperation. China aims to build a friendly relationship with India where both nations act as partners contributing to each other's success, while ' This will be followed by a visit to the 'Bharat Innovates Exhibition' at 4:25 PM, an official family photo and joint plantation ceremony at 5:05 PM, and finally, a dinner hosted by PM Modi for the BRICS leaders at 7:30 PM.
A Turning Point for Global Order
The Modi-Xi meeting in Delhi isn't just about India-China relations; it's a pivotal moment for the BRICS alliance and the changing global order. From defense and security to trade, investment, visas, and flights, the scope of the talks is vast. There is anticipation that major announcements could follow these discussions. The simultaneous presence of leaders like Modi, Xi, and Putin on the BRICS stage is seen as a sign of a shift in the global balance of power. Consequently, every major activity in Delhi today is being closely monitored by the global community as it could signal a new era of cooperation or a recalibration of geopolitical strategies.