Xi Jinping, China’s president, has been in power for more than a decade and shows little sign of stepping back. He was born in Beijing in 1953, but his early life was far from comfortable. When his father, Xi Zhongxun, a senior revolutionary, fell out of favor, the family faced years of political trouble. Xi himself was sent as a teenager to a rural village in Shaanxi province, where he lived in caves and did farm work. He often says those years taught him toughness.
After returning to Beijing, Xi studied engineering at Tsinghua University. His political career started slowly, with administrative roles in Hebei and later Fujian and Zhejiang. Colleagues describe him as cautious and disciplined, careful not to make mistakes that could derail his path upward.
By 2012 he had risen to the top of the Communist Party, becoming general secretary. The following year he was named president. Soon after, he launched a sweeping anti corruption drive that punished both senior officials and low level cadres. For many citizens it was proof that corruption was finally being tackled. For critics, it was also a way to remove rivals and secure his own grip on power.
Xi’s rule has since been marked by big projects like the Belt and Road Initiative and a push for China to dominate advanced technology. He promotes what is called “Xi Jinping Thought,” now taught in schools and universities.
Supporters see him as a strong stabilizer. Opponents worry about how much power is centered on one man. Either way, Xi has left a mark that will shape China’s future.
China is at the centre of another packed week on Dragon Diaries. Could Xi Jinping, Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump sit down together at the upcoming APEC summit in Shenzhen?
India has standardised the names of 28 geographical features across Ladakh on the official Survey of India map, including locations within the Aksai Chin region and areas like Gogra and Hot Springs. The move, carried out by the Centre in consultation with the Ladakh administration, covers ten peaks, seven land areas, three mountains, two passes, two glaciers, a valley, a river, a lake, and a water body. The exercise aims at accurate recognition and raising public awareness while asserting territorial claims amid longstanding boundary friction with China. The step follows China's repeated attempts to rename locations in Arunachal Pradesh and comes amid renewed meetings of the China-Pakistan Boundary Commission regarding areas around Gilgit-Baltistan and the Shaksgam Valley. Experts observe that standardising these historical names delivers a strategic signal on sovereignty and serves as long-term preparation regarding contested frontier areas.
In this edition of Statecraft, anchor Geeta Mohan analyses key geopolitical developments across the globe. At the United Nations General Assembly, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended strikes on Iran and displayed a Starlink terminal alongside references to pager explosions, amid a walkout by delegates and a cancelled meeting with Elon Musk. Meanwhile in Washington, US President Donald Trump welcomed Chinese President Xi Jinping with full ceremonial honours, agreeing to extend the bilateral trade truce by two months while strategic disagreements over Taiwan, artificial intelligence, and rare earths persisted. The broadcast examines the regional implications of potential US-China rapprochement for India and the wider Indo-Pacific. Additionally, the programme covers Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif evading questions on Lashkar-e-Taiba founder Hafiz Saeed at the UN, as well as Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's new cabinet decree prohibiting face coverings in schools and capping non-Italian speakers at 30% per classroom.
US President Donald Trump hosted Chinese President Xi Jinping at the White House for bilateral talks lasting approximately an hour and a half, followed by a state dinner. Key business figures, including Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, Google CEO Sundar Pichai, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, and former Apple CEO Tim Cook, attended the dinner. Trump presented Xi with a crafted bald eagle sculpture, while both leaders addressed the gathering, emphasizing mutual respect, bilateral ties, and future trade relations. Xi emphasized that competition should remain healthy, bilateral cooperation should benefit both nations, and artificial intelligence must develop under human control. Despite discussions on trade and bilateral ties, no official joint statement was released following the bilateral talks, indicating contentious matters remain unresolved. During the visit, Trump also led Xi on a tour of the White House Presidential Walk of Fame.
A morning business bulletin covers key financial developments, policy updates, and corporate events. The central government has clarified that there is no proposal to rethink Merchant Discount Rate on the Unified Payments Interface, nor is there any proposal to exempt fuel from it, while efforts with the Indian Banks' Association are being explored to ensure costs are not passed to consumers. In corporate updates, Tata Sons has rejected Noel Tata's objections to the reappointment of N. Chandrasekaran, citing majority board validity and legal opinions from former Chief Justice of India U. U. Lalit and former Supreme Court Judge B. N. Srikrishna ahead of shareholder ratification. Meanwhile, domestic stock indices opened mildly lower with the Nifty near 23,054, amid fluctuations in IT and banking shares alongside commentary on Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India consultation proposals. Additionally, the bulletin touches upon Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal's remarks on trade pact negotiations and a high-profile dinner hosted in Washington.
United States President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping held a crucial bilateral meeting lasting around one and a half hours at the White House. The two leaders emphasised mutual respect, cooperation, and the historical ties between their nations, while acknowledging the need to build a balanced trade relationship. During the visit, the two countries agreed to extend their tariff truce until 10 January, granting negotiators additional time to pursue a broader economic agreement. An artificial intelligence dialogue was also announced, with both sides noting the necessity for artificial intelligence to develop under human control. Despite positive optics, no joint press conference or joint statement was issued following the talks. Key issues including tariffs, rare earth supplies, agricultural purchases, market access, technology, and geopolitical tensions surrounding Taiwan and sanctions remain critical sticking points between Washington and Beijing.
Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping shared a lighthearted moment during a walk through a White House presidential display. Trump mocked former US President Joe Biden with an autopen joke while pointing at presidential portraits. Trump displayed his own photographs with Biden positioned in between, referring to the former president as autopen. The interaction drew notable laughter from President Xi, presenting unusual optics during a high-profile diplomatic visit.
United States President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping held a crucial 1.5-hour bilateral meeting in Washington on September 24. Addressing the gathering, President Trump referenced historical co-operation during World War II, stating that both nations can achieve much by focusing on common interests to forge a better future. President Xi expressed gratitude for the hospitality shown to him and his wife Madame Peng, calling for both sides to move forward together and write a new chapter in friendly ties. The meeting took place against a backdrop of continuing issues between the two nations, including differences over Taiwan, artificial intelligence, sanctions, and global conflicts. While the leadership projected positive diplomatic optics, no joint press conference was held, and no joint statements or big-ticket policy announcements were released immediately following the discussions. Protests and clashes involving media personnel were also observed outside the venue as experts and lawmakers continue to watch for concrete diplomatic outcomes from the visit.
US President Donald Trump hosted Chinese President Xi Jinping at the White House for a bilateral meeting in the Oval Office during a two-day state visit. The meeting commenced following a ceremonial military review held in the Rose Garden. Discussions between the two leaders covered a wide range of critical topics, including bilateral trade, the economy, supply chains, rare earth elements, artificial intelligence competition, and energy security. Regional and international security concerns were also on the agenda, specifically Taiwan, the Indo-Pacific, and ongoing conflicts involving Russia, Ukraine, and Iran. Following the one-and-a-half-hour discussion, President Trump gave President Xi a brief tour of the newly constructed helipad and ballroom before seeing him off. While no joint press conference took place, separate readouts and statements are expected from Washington and Beijing detailing the discussions, ahead of an official state dinner scheduled for the evening.
This news report details the political confrontation following reports that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi submitted fourteen formal objections against decisions by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar regarding the nationwide Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, centralized voter data systems, and modifications to Form 6. Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and P. Chidambaram demanded the resignation or impeachment of the Chief Election Commissioner and sought a parliamentary committee review. The Bharatiya Janata Party countered the allegations by citing Articles 324 to 326 of the Constitution and statutory appeal provisions. RTI activist Anjali Bhardwaj and former Election Commissioner Ashok Lavasa analyzed the centralization of voter list modifications, with Lavasa calling for the cancellation of Phase 3 of the revision exercise. The broadcast also reports on the student suicide case at IIT Bombay involving Sahil Wakode, legal observations against media trials, and the bilateral meeting between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping in Washington.
The INDIA bloc is set to move an impeachment motion against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar in Parliament amid reported internal rifts and objections by two Election Commissioners regarding the SIR exercise.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has arrived in the United States for a high-profile state visit, marking a notable bilateral engagement with US President Donald Trump. In a rare diplomatic gesture not seen in over six decades, President Trump personally welcomed the Chinese leader upon arrival at the air base outside Washington. The visit sets the stage for extensive bilateral meetings at the White House and delegation-level discussions focusing on trade, artificial intelligence, critical minerals, and supply chain frictions. While contentious issues regarding technology, tariffs, and geopolitical disputes remain prominent, both nations aim to maintain strategic stability and prevent escalation into open confrontation. Pre-summit discussions between economic officials have also addressed trade truces and upcoming state dinner engagements featuring leading technology industry leaders.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has arrived in the United States on a three-day visit for his second summit meeting with US President Donald Trump in less than six months. Accompanied by Chinese First Lady Peng Liyuan, Xi landed at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, where they were received at the airport by President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump. The reception marked the first time since 1962 that a sitting US president personally welcomed a foreign head of state at the airport, featuring a 100-foot red carpet, a 21-person honour cordon, and ceremonial cannon fire. Addressing reporters after the greeting, Trump noted discussions would cover various subjects, including Iran.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has arrived in the United States on a three-day official visit, marking his second summit meeting with US President Donald Trump in less than six months. In a rare diplomatic gesture not seen since 1962, President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump received Xi Jinping and Chinese First Lady Peng Liyuan directly at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland. The arrival featured a red carpet reception, a 21-person honour cordon, and ceremonial cannon fire. Highlighting the agenda, bilateral discussions are set to address critical areas of friction, including trade, technology, supply chains, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and geopolitical developments concerning Iran and Russia. Analysts note that while deep disagreements persist, the high-level engagement reflects an effort to establish guardrails, manage strategic competition, and stabilise diplomatic ties between the world's two largest economies.
United States President Donald Trump has signed a new Russia sanctions bill into law, granting the administration authority to impose tariffs of up to 100% on goods imported from the top five buyers of Russian crude oil and natural gas within 30 days. The legislation covers major importers such as India and China, as well as countries aiding sanctions evasion. While the law grants significant executive discretion regarding implementation, the White House must notify Congress prior to removing any tariffs. The move comes ahead of high-level diplomatic engagements, including planned talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, aiming to exert pressure regarding the Russia-Ukraine war. For India, a leading purchaser of Russian crude, the law introduces new variables amid ongoing bilateral trade negotiations, where officials indicate substantial progress on an agreement ahead of scheduled ministerial discussions.
The US House of Representatives has passed the Lindsey Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, granting President Donald Trump authority to impose tariffs of up to 100% on nations purchasing Russian oil and gas. The move directly exposes major buyers like India and China, following the recent BRICS Summit in New Delhi where leaders opposed unilateral coercive measures. Russian crude accounted for 30.3% of India's oil imports in fiscal 2026, making energy security vital for the nation. Simultaneously, rising tensions between Washington and Ottawa have led Canada to explore unprecedented associate membership with the European Union to diversify trade and strategic partnerships beyond North America. Additionally, social media rumours regarding Chinese President Xi Jinping suffering a medical emergency in New Delhi were debunked, while Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf prepares for its planned march to Islamabad amidst heightened administrative security.
The United States Congress has passed a sanctions bill granting presidential authority to impose up to 100 per cent tariffs on countries purchasing oil and gas from Russia, directly impacting major buyers including India and China. Originally proposed by the late Senator Lindsey Graham, the legislation also targets Russian energy, leadership, and the shadow fleet, alongside expanding sanctions on Iran. The measure heads to Donald Trump for approval and signature, granting the White House waiver powers while requiring congressional notification for tariff removals. The move emerges ahead of the Chinese President's planned visit to Washington and amid United States midterm elections, offering leverage in trade and geopolitical negotiations. For India, the legislation introduces fresh uncertainty into ongoing bilateral trade deal talks that have been under negotiation for over a year, even as options remain open to seek exemptions or engage in direct dialogue with the White House on Russian energy imports.
Speaking to India Today, former Indian Ambassador to China Ashok Kantha analyzed the state of bilateral relations following official discussions and statements. He dismissed notions of a breakthrough, stating, "I will not characterize it as a new dawn in India-China relations or a reset of relations." Kantha highlighted key differences in the diplomatic readouts from New Delhi and Beijing, noting that India treats peace and tranquility at the border as an essential prerequisite for normalization, whereas China seeks to advance relations on parallel tracks. He pointed out unresolved operational realities on the ground, such as reports of Chinese transgressions in Arunachal Pradesh and an absence of de-escalation. Furthermore, Kantha cited structural hurdles, including widening trade imbalances, Chinese decrees restricting technology transfers, China-Pakistan battlefield coordination during Operation Sindoor in May 2025, and unilateral hydropower dam construction in seismically active Tibet.
The video also looks at the key takeaways from the Summit in New Delhi, where member states adopted the 140-point New Delhi Declaration. The declaration called for reforms to the United Nations Security Council, backed India and Brazil, condemned terrorism including the Pahalgam attack, and called for de-escalation in West Asia.
In an interview on India First, former External Affairs Minister and senior Congress leader Salman Khurshid shared his assessment of India-China bilateral relations and border engagements. Responding to recent high-level dialogues, Khurshid underscored the necessity for domestic political consensus, stating, "If you can't take a conversation with the opposition further, how will you take a conversation with China any further?" He observed that overall relations have worsened over time and that diplomatic generalities are insufficient without candid communication. Regarding the massive trade imbalance between the two countries, Khurshid highlighted that the solution does not rest entirely with Beijing, urging India to take internal steps to address the deficit. While acknowledging positive developments such as resuming visas and flights to sustain people-to-people contacts, he emphasized that building sustainable ties requires sharing information, mutual trust, and actionable measures on both sides.
