Chinese President Xi Jinping arrives in Delhi for a BRICS summit and is met with a ceremonial welcome, including an honour guard and cultural performances. The red-carpet reception is widely viewed as reflecting a thaw in India–China relations after a deadly border clash in 2020.
The backdrop is a mix of confidence-building and ongoing strategic competition. With India and China improving diplomatic engagement, outlets frame Xi’s presence as a public signal of reconciliation. At the same time, both countries continue to compete for influence within the expanding BRICS bloc and in the wider region, according to the coverage. Another element highlighted is the broader international context of uncertainty in US leadership, which places greater emphasis on cooperation among emerging economies while rivalry persists.
While the ceremonial aspects receive prominent attention, the reporting also emphasizes that the improvement in relations does not eliminate underlying tensions. The summit environment therefore combines visible diplomatic warmth with continued competition among major powers.
