Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on 12 September 2026 during the BRICS Summit in New Delhi. The two leaders discussed the state of India-China relations and reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining stable ties between the two nations. This was their first meeting since August 2025, when they last met in Tianjin.
What was discussed
The Prime Minister emphasised that bilateral relations should be guided by three principles: mutual respect, mutual sensitivity, and mutual interest. He stressed that differences between the two countries should not escalate into disputes.
A key focus of the meeting was the border situation. The Prime Minister underlined the importance of peace and tranquility in border areas as essential for further development of the relationship. Both leaders committed to observing existing agreements and understandings on border-related matters. They also expressed their commitment to finding a fair, reasonable, and mutually acceptable resolution to the boundary question, taking into account the broader bilateral relationship and long-term interests of both peoples.
On trade and economics, the two leaders identified several areas requiring attention:
- Addressing structural trade imbalances between the two countries
- Resolving supply chain issues
- Improving market access in a meaningful and predictable manner
The leaders also acknowledged progress in people-to-people connections and agreed to promote cultural exchanges, business partnerships, and greater travel between Indians and Chinese nationals.
The Prime Minister acknowledged China’s backing for India’s role as BRICS chair and its role in making the 2026 BRICS Summit successful. Both sides agreed to continue building common ground on regional and international issues and in addressing global challenges together.
What this means for you
This meeting signals that India and China are attempting to stabilise their relationship despite ongoing border tensions. The focus on existing agreements suggests both governments want to prevent disputes from worsening. For ordinary Indians, this could mean smoother business dealings with China, potentially more cultural and educational exchanges, and reduced risk of escalation in border disputes. However, structural trade concerns remain unresolved, so Indian consumers and businesses should not expect immediate changes in trade patterns.