BRICS Summit: Suspense Over Xi Jinping Attendance As New Delhi Prepares

The diplomatic corridors of New Delhi are buzzing with anticipation as the BRICS Summit is scheduled to commence in less than 24 hours. However, a significant cloud of uncertainty remains regarding the physical presence of Chinese President Xi Jinping. While the international community looks toward India for this high-profile gathering, the Chinese government has maintained a strategic silence concerning the travel plans of its top leader. This suspense comes even as other major world leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, have already confirmed their participation in the summit, which is set to be held at the prestigious Bharat Mandapam.

Schedule and Venue Details

The main proceedings of the BRICS Summit are slated for 12 and 13 September at the Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. India, holding the presidency of BRICS this year, has made extensive arrangements for the event. The diplomatic activities aren't limited to the main summit alone; the BRICS Business Forum and the BRICS Women's Business Alliance meetings are scheduled to begin as early as 11 September. These preliminary meetings set the stage for the core discussions between the heads of state, making the next few days critical for international relations within the bloc.

Official Stance from China

The lack of clarity regarding Xi Jinping's visit was highlighted during a recent press briefing by the Chinese Foreign Ministry. When spokesperson Mao Ning was questioned on Tuesday about the composition of the Chinese delegation and whether President Xi would be attending, the response remained non-committal. Mao Ning emphasized that China attaches great importance to BRICS cooperation and expressed support for India in hosting a successful summit. Despite these positive sentiments toward the collective goals of BRICS, she didn't provide a definitive answer regarding Xi Jinping's personal attendance. She stated that any new information regarding the delegation would be shared as it becomes available, leaving the door open for last-minute announcements.

Historical Context of Invitations

The backdrop of this potential visit involves previous high-level interactions between India and China. During Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to China in August 2025, he had extended an invitation to Xi Jinping for the 2026 BRICS Summit. According to the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, President Xi had expressed his gratitude for the invitation and voiced his support for India's BRICS presidency. However, diplomatic experts note that an invitation and its subsequent appreciation don't always translate into a confirmed attendance for every specific meeting. As of 8 September, the official confirmation from the Chinese side regarding the New Delhi summit remains pending.

Speculations and Media Reports

In August, reports from Reuters, citing three different sources, suggested that Xi Jinping was likely to attend the summit. These reports indicated that Chinese officials were in the process of preparing a large delegation for the trip. If President Xi does indeed arrive in New Delhi, it would mark his first visit to India in 7 years. While these media reports generated significant interest, they remain speculative in the absence of an official communique from Beijing. The diplomatic community is closely watching whether these preparations culminate in a physical visit or if China opts for a different level of representation.

Recent Modi-Xi Interactions

The relationship between the two leaders has seen limited face-to-face interaction in recent years. The most recent meeting between Prime Minister Modi and President Xi Jinping took place in August 2025 in Tianjin, China, during the SCO Summit. That visit by PM Modi to China occurred after a gap of 7 years. Prior to the Tianjin meeting, the two leaders had met in October 2024 during the BRICS Summit held in Kazan, Russia. These meetings are seen as pivotal moments in the ongoing efforts to normalize relations between the two neighbors following prolonged border tensions. A visit by Xi to New Delhi for the current BRICS meeting would be viewed as a significant step in this gradual process of diplomatic stabilization.

The Broader Significance

The presence of Xi Jinping at the Bharat Mandapam would carry weight beyond the multilateral agenda of BRICS. It would provide a platform for potential bilateral discussions aimed at resolving long-standing issues. While the confirmation of Russian President Vladimir Putin ensures the presence of one major global power, the arrival of the Chinese President remains the final piece of the puzzle for the New Delhi summit. As the clock ticks down to the 12 and 13 September dates, all eyes remain on the official channels of the Chinese Foreign Ministry for the final word on their delegation's leadership.