: Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in India on Saturday aboard a special aircraft, marking his first visit to the country in nearly seven years. He landed at the New Delhi airport as India and China prepare for high-level engagements on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Summit.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping are scheduled to hold bilateral talks during the visit. This will be the third meeting between the two leaders in the past three years. They had earlier met in Kazan and Tianjin.
The bilateral discussions are expected to focus on strengthening India-China relations, improving connectivity and cooperation, and addressing outstanding differences between the two countries. The two sides are also likely to discuss measures to promote stable ties and work together as good neighbours.
According to diplomatic sources, Prime Minister Modi and President Xi are scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting on Saturday evening.
Xi is undertaking a 24-hour visit to India and is accompanied by a 67-member official delegation. The delegation includes Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China and a close aide of Xi, as well as Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
A separate business delegation is also accompanying the visit, highlighting the economic and commercial dimension of the India-China engagement.
Following his arrival, Xi is scheduled to reach Bharat Mandapam at around 2 pm on Saturday, where Prime Minister Modi will welcome him. His 24-hour visit is scheduled to conclude on Sunday, with the Chinese President expected to depart India at around 12:20 pm.
The visit is being closely watched amid efforts by India and China to improve bilateral relations, enhance communication and cooperation, and manage differences through continued diplomatic engagement.