India-China Ties: Direct Flights To Resume, Diplomatic Thaw Ahead Of BRICS

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to hold five key bilateral meetings on the opening day of the expanded BRICS Summit at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. The diplomatic engagements include bilateral discussions with the Prime Minister of Ethiopia, the Prime Minister of Malaysia, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, and the Prime Minister of Vietnam, followed by a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The summit brings together leaders from across the Global South to discuss inclusive global governance, trade, investment, and diplomatic relations amid ongoing global and regional geopolitical tensions. The itinerary also features a formal BRICS family photograph, a tree plantation ceremony, and a gala dinner hosted by Prime Minister Modi showcasing regional Indian cuisine and local products. The proceedings highlight diplomatic engagements and international cooperation on the sidelines of the multilateral summit.

Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in New Delhi for the 18th BRICS Summit hosted by India, marking his first visit to the country in seven years following the 2020 Galwan Valley border clashes. Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a bilateral meeting with President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the summit to review border disengagement implementation along the Line of Actual Control following military and national security advisor level talks. The leaders also addressed bilateral economic relations and the growing trade deficit. The 18th BRICS Summit brought together representatives from the expanded 11-member bloc under the theme of resilience, innovation, connectivity, and sustainability. Key initiatives discussed include the BRICS Economic Partnership 2030, supply chain resilience, expanded trade in services, and micro, small, and medium enterprise financing. Prime Minister Modi also conducted bilateral discussions with other attending world leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, focusing on regional stability and global trade cooperation.

India is hosting the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, bringing together leaders from 11 member nations amidst global challenges, including West Asia conflicts and the unresolved India-China border dispute. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to hold key bilateral meetings, including talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping, following discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. As chair, India is prioritising the BRICS Economic Partnership 2030, expanding trade in services, building resilient supply chains following disruptions at critical transit routes like the Strait of Hormuz, and boosting financing for MSMEs. Additionally, on the sidelines of the summit, Prime Minister Modi presented a Russian translation of the ancient Tamil classic Tirukkural by philosopher Thiruvalluvar to President Putin, highlighting cultural diplomacy and historical literary connections between India and Russia.

India is hosting the eighteenth BRICS Summit, marking its chairship with over four hundred preparatory meetings centered on humanity first. The summit's core theme highlights four pillars: resilience, innovation, connectivity, and sustainability, alongside focused outreach to women and farmers. The eleven-member economic bloc represents forty percent of global GDP based on purchasing power parity and nearly fifty percent of the world's population. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's itinerary includes bilateral meetings with leaders from Ethiopia, Malaysia, Abu Dhabi, Vietnam, and China. In addition to diplomatic dialogues, leaders will participate in a sapling planting initiative at Bharat Mandapam, attend a cultural presentation featuring one hundred and sixty artists from member nations, and join a gala dinner. India has also proposed funding one hundred startups and prepared fifty outcome documents to deliver tangible solutions for international challenges.