Chinese President in New Delhi to Participate in BRICS Summit and Discuss Conflicts and Energy

Xi's attendance itself is a significant event as it will be his first visit to the country since 2019, marking a major step in the slow rapprochement between the two rival nations, six years after the deadly military confrontation that took place between them along the disputed border in the Himalayas.

Relations between the two nuclear-armed Asian giants have witnessed a gradual improvement following their agreement to resume flights, high-level communications, and visa issuances.

Beijing affirmed on Friday that "China is ready to work with India... by strengthening communication, consolidating cooperation, and handling differences properly."

Xi will hold direct talks on Saturday with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, according to the Indian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The "BRICS" forum was established in 2009 to bring together major emerging economies—Brazil, Russia, India, and China—which were quickly joined by South Africa, outside the framework of blocs dominated by the United States and Western powers, such as the G7.

The bloc subsequently expanded to include countries such as Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, nations that hold vastly differing stances on the war in the Middle East.

Prior to the summit, Modi received Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, who stated, "When a country is subjected to political and economic pressure on its trade, energy, infrastructure, and financial system, the consequences go beyond its borders."

Since the outbreak of the war, Iran has closed the Strait of Hormuz, the vital waterway for global energy supplies, causing a sharp rise in oil prices. Brent crude prices surpassed the $100 per barrel mark again this week.

This war is causing divisions among BRICS members, as Russia and China continue their trade dealings with Iran despite the severe sanctions imposed by US President Donald Trump's administration on Iran and countries dealing with it, as part of a campaign aimed at "strangling the Iranian economy."

In contrast, the United Arab Emirates cut off activities, trade exchanges, and financial transactions with Iran in August after being subjected to Iranian missile strikes.

Harsh Pant, an analyst at the Observer Research Foundation think tank close to the Indian government, told AFP that "this conflict will be the main dividing line during the summit."

On the other hand, Modi met with Vladimir Putin on Friday, six months after the Russian president's last visit to India. New Delhi confirmed that they "shared views" on the Middle East and Ukraine, noting that Modi "reiterated that conflicts are only resolved through dialogue and diplomacy."

India is a traditional ally of Moscow and has continued to import Russian oil despite US sanctions, considering that oil revenues allow Moscow to fund its war in Ukraine.

In turn, this has helped New Delhi overcome the energy crisis resulting from the war in the Middle East.