New Delhi – Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in New Delhi on Saturday to attend the 18th BRICS Summit, marking his first visit to India since 2019.

President Xi’s special aircraft, which departed from Beijing, landed at Palam Air Force Station in New Delhi. The two-day summit began on Saturday, September 12, and will continue through Sunday, September 13, at Bharat Mandapam.

Representatives and senior leaders from 21 countries have arrived in New Delhi to participate in the summit, which is expected to focus on cooperation among emerging economies and key global issues.
President Xi’s visit is his first trip to India in six years. During his previous visit in 2019, Xi and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held an informal summit meeting in Mamallapuram, near Chennai, where the two leaders discussed bilateral relations and broader regional and international issues.

Meanwhile, Chinese Ambassador to India Xu Feihong said preparations were under way for a bilateral meeting between President Xi and Prime Minister Modi. The ambassador disclosed the development in a post on social media platform X on Friday night.

Ahead of President Xi’s arrival, China Southern Airlines also announced plans to resume direct flights between China and India after a six-year suspension.

According to reports, the airline is preparing to launch a direct service between Guangzhou and New Delhi from September 21, further signalling efforts to restore connectivity and strengthen ties between the two countries.