Ahead of Modi-Xi meeting, China calls for India, China to handle differences properly

China on Friday called on India to handle differences between the two countries properly and approach bilateral ties from a strategic and long-term perspective, ahead of President Xi Jinping's visit to New Delhi for the BRICS summit and his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. 

Xi will arrive in New Delhi on Saturday to attend the BRICS summit, marking his first visit to India in nearly seven years. He is also scheduled to meet Modi bilaterally on the sidelines of the summit on Saturday.

Asked about China's expectations from the Modi-Xi meeting, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said the two leaders would be meeting for the third consecutive year, following their meetings in Kazan and Tianjin.

"China will work with India to act on the strategic guidance of the two leaders, handle the bilateral relations from a strategic height and long-term perspective, step up communication, enhance cooperation, properly handle differences, and be friends enjoying good-neighbourliness and partners helping each other succeed,” she said.

On the BRICS summit, Mao described the grouping as an important platform for cooperation and solidarity among emerging markets and developing countries. 

“President Xi will attend and address the upcoming summit, have in-depth exchanges with other leaders on major issues including the current international situation, the development of BRICS mechanisms, and deepening practical cooperation, and put forward China’s important initiatives and propositions, charting the course for the high-quality development of greater BRICS cooperation,” she said.

Mao said China was ready to work with other BRICS members to ensure steady and sustained progress in the grouping's cooperation and contribute to building a community with a shared future for humanity.

Asked about the significance of the New Delhi summit against the backdrop of the Iran-US conflict and the Ukraine-Russia war, Mao said China supports a common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable approach to security.

"We are committed to promoting the political settlement of hotspot issues through dialogue. We look forward to working with fellow BRICS countries to promote dialogue and negotiation to resolve differences and jointly safeguard regional and global peace and stability," she said.

Xi's visit is expected to be an important diplomatic engagement as India and China seek to stabilise their bilateral relationship while also advancing cooperation within BRICS amid a volatile global situation.

India, which currently holds the BRICS chair, will host the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on September 12 and 13.

Xi's last visit to India was in 2019, when he held an informal summit with Modi in Mamallapuram near Chennai. He had earlier travelled to Goa in 2016 for the BRICS summit.

His first visit to India was in September 2014, when he held extensive talks with Modi. The visit took place during the first terms of both leaders.

The upcoming visit comes as New Delhi and Beijing work towards normalising ties after relations remained strained following the 2020 Eastern Ladakh standoff.

Ahead of Xi's visit, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held extensive discussions in Beijing last month on the boundary issue, maintaining peace and tranquillity along the border and measures to improve bilateral relations.

During the 25th round of Special Representatives' talks in Beijing on August 25, the two sides reached an eight-point consensus and agreed to move forward with discussions on an Early and Substantial Harvest of boundary delimitation and border management.

Against the backdrop of these discussions on the boundary and broader bilateral issues, the Modi-Xi meeting is expected to be closely watched for indications of the future direction of India-China relations.

BRICS originally comprised Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. The grouping expanded in 2024 to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, the UAE and Saudi Arabia, while Indonesia joined in 2025.

Belarus, Bolivia, Kazakhstan, Cuba, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Uganda, Uzbekistan and Vietnam became BRICS partner countries last year.

India is a founding member of BRICS and has previously held the group's chair three times, in 2012, 2016 and 2021.

India assumed its fourth BRICS chairship on January 1. The year 2026 also marks 20 years since the establishment of BRICS.  (with inputs from PTI)