China's Xi Jinping’s first India visit in 7 years
Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in New Delhi to attend the 18th BRICS summit. The Chinese President will also meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi later on Saturday (12 September).
The Chinese President Xi's entourage includes Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee, and Wang Yi, Chinese foreign minister and a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, the Chinese news agency said.
According to a Xinhua report, Xi Jinping is expected to advance proposals on Global South cooperation at the BRICS summit much as he did during the SCO Summit in Bishkek.
The report stated that both groupings -- BRICS and SCO -- have expanded their membership and networks of developing partners. Their members together represent more than half of the world’s population and about 30 per cent of the global economy.
BRICS Summit 2026: China Southern lifts six-year suspension to Delhi flights, ahead of Xi's visit
China Southern Airlines will resume regular passenger flights between Guangzhou and New Delhi from September 21, according to the Global Times. The announcement comes ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to India for the BRICS Summit.
Direct air connectivity between India and China has gradually resumed in recent months. Air China restarted its Beijing-Delhi service in April, while China Eastern Airlines resumed direct flights between Kunming and Kolkata on April 18.
The resumption of direct air links followed confirmation from MEA. Air connectivity between the two countries had been suspended during the Covid-19 pandemic and amid tensions following the Doklam and Galwan standoffs.
Tibetan leader Sikyong urges Xi to address issue through dialogue
As Chinese President Xi Jinping arrives in India for the BRICS Summit, Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) President, Sikyong Penpa Tsering, has urged Beijing to address the Tibet issue through dialogue.
Tsering said the Tibetan leadership supports better relations between countries, including India and China, but stressed that the aspirations of the Tibetan people should not be forgotten. He said trust remains a major challenge in dealing with the Chinese government and reiterated the Tibetan leadership’s commitment to the Middle Way Policy, which seeks a negotiated solution to the Tibet issue.
The CTA leader said the BRICS Summit should be viewed in the wider context of China’s growing engagement with multilateral platforms. He welcomed improved India-China relations while calling for greater attention to the unresolved Tibet issue.
Tsering also said that if China is serious about making the world a better place, peace should “first begin at home”. He described dialogue as the way forward and made the remarks as Xi arrived in India for the summit.
Source: Times of India