Xi Jinping May Visit India After Galwan Clash, BRICS Summit Signals Thaw

New Delhi: 20 Indian soldiers were martyred in Galwan Valley in June 2020. After that night, India-China relations got stuck where they were. The effect of this was that direct flights were stopped, visas were banned and unannounced restrictions were imposed on trade. After five-six years, something seems to be moving now. Xi Jinping may come to India this year. It is the occasion of BRICS summit. And if this visit happens, it will be his first visit to India after Galwan.

What happened in New Delhi last week?

On April 23, China's special envoy Zhai Jun came to New Delhi to attend the BRICS meeting called on West Asia issues. Along with the meeting, he also met Neena Malhotra, Secretary of the Ministry of External Affairs. In the statement that came from Beijing, Zhai Jun clearly said that China respects India's BRICS chairmanship and this meeting should send a message of regional peace. Malhotra also praised China's cooperation in the BRICS framework.

Where did this softness suddenly come from?

It's not just about this week. In October 2024, PM Modi and Jinping sat face to face for the first time after five years in Kazan, Russia. At the same time, an agreement was reached to resume patrolling on the LAC, which is the first real step towards reducing ground tension. Then in August 2025, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi came to Delhi, many agreements were made. During the SCO meeting in Tianjin, Modi invited Jinping to BRICS in 2026, which he accepted.

Why adopted the path of BRICS?

This is where the real problem lies. Galwan is still fresh in the Indian public mind. It is not easy to openly talk about friendship with China in domestic politics. It is difficult for China also to be seen bowing down. BRICS gives a way to both that talks can be held under the guise of the agenda of 'Global South', no one bows down, no one wins. On top of that, Trump's tariffs and American pressure have forced both countries to look at their calculations afresh. China's economy is slow, it needs a big market like India. India needs its northern border to remain calm so that it can deal with the rest of the world.

Wang Yi's visit is also coming up?

Wang Yi's visit to India for the BRICS Foreign Ministers' meeting is considered almost certain. The visit will further solidify the ground ahead of Jinping's possible visit. One figure is worth noting and in the initial months of 2025, India-China trade increased by more than 22 percent. Despite the tension, the money kept flowing.

So are relationships really improving?

Be careful. This is not a completely new beginning. The border dispute remains unresolved. India's presence in the Quad irritates Beijing. What is happening is not a 'reset' but an attempt to set a 'floor', that is, the relationship should not go below this level. If Jinping visits, the signal will be big. But there is a difference between symbol and reality, Galvan's wounds do not heal that quickly.