Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi moved closer to overcoming years of frictions over issues including an unresolved border dispute, holding a meeting in New Delhi that signaled a reset of ties between the world’s two most populous countries.

Xi — on his first post-COVID visit to India — struck a positive tone as he sat down for bilateral talks with Modi on Saturday, saying in televised opening remarks that he was pleased to return for the latest of their frequent interactions over the past 12 years. As major members of the Global South, India and China also carry significant global responsibilities, said Xi, who was visiting New Delhi for the annual summit of the BRICS nations.

A separate readout from India’s Ministry of External Affairs said the two leaders agreed to address a broad range of each other’s concerns ranging from trade imbalances and supply chain issues to providing “predictable” market access. They “expressed commitment to a fair, reasonable, and mutually acceptable resolution of the boundary question,” it said.

Xi called the recent rapprochement between China and India “not easy to come by” and something that “needs to be cherished,” according to a readout from the official Xinhua News Agency. “China and India are partners, not rivals,” representing “each other’s development opportunities, not threats,” he said.

While it’s not clear if a breakthrough is within reach, the encounter marked a milestone of a growing thaw in ties that deteriorated after a border conflict in 2020. It took advantage of the momentum that built over the past two years as both countries increasingly showed willingness to mend the relationship.

“Although the two countries have different national circumstances, they can certainly learn from each other’s strengths and make up for each other’s weaknesses, support one another, help each other succeed, and develop together,” Xi said.

In a sign the neighbors are focusing on ways to strengthen ties, China and India last month signaled progress in their border dispute negotiations. The countries have also restored direct flights, while India has loosened some curbs on investment from Chinese companies.

Nevertheless, businesses in both countries also say they still face restrictions on obtaining travel visas. Other flash points of division remain, especially as Beijing steps up its outreach to India’s neighbors including Pakistan and Bangladesh.

The Chinese leader was making his first trip to India since 2019, when Xi held a dialogue with Modi in Chennai.

The Indian statement on Saturday said Modi “emphasized that peace and tranquility in the border areas remains an essential basis for the continued development of bilateral relations.”

It added that “the two leaders agreed that both sides must continue to expand common ground on regional and global issues, and in addressing challenges.”

Separately, Xi made a broader bid to promote China’s AI influence at the BRICS Summit. He welcomed nations to join the Beijing-led World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization and urged them to adopt a collaborative, open-source approach to AI, both of which are hallmarks of China’s approach to the frontier technology.

Xi also reiterated China’s proposal for a “new security architecture” in the Middle East, in a veiled jab at the U.S. involvement in the region.

———

(With assistance from Ruchi Bhatia.)

©2026 Bloomberg L.P. Visit bloomberg.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.