Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in New Delhi for his first visit to India in seven years, coinciding with India's hosting of the BRICS summit. During bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Xi emphasized that 'peace and tranquillity in border areas remain an essential basis for the continued development of bilateral relations.' The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to a 'fair, reasonable, and mutually acceptable resolution of the boundary question,' guided by mutual respect, sensitivity, and interest.

The meeting followed a series of high-level exchanges between the two governments, including discussions between National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on border delimitation and trans-boundary cooperation. Doval and Wang are designated Special Representatives for India-China boundary negotiations, a role established in 2003 to address the 3,488-km border dispute.

India's Ministry of External Affairs stated that the leaders 'welcomed the steady progress in India-China bilateral relations since their last meeting in Tianjin in August 2025.' PM Modi highlighted that differences should not become disputes, and both sides must 'guide their relations by mutual respect, mutual sensitivity, and mutual interest.' Xi noted that the two countries, as the world's most populous and key members of the Global South, 'shoulder significant responsibilities' in shaping a 'multipolar world.'

China, by contrast, has traditionally maintained that the boundary dispute should be addressed separately from other aspects of bilateral ties. While the Indian government did not provide a direct response to this stance, PM Modi's social media posts conveyed 'best wishes for China's BRICS Presidency that commences next year,' indicating a diplomatic tone. However, the evidence does not include a formal statement from China on the border issue or its approach to the negotiations.

The unresolved boundary dispute remains a critical challenge in India-China relations. While both leaders expressed a commitment to peace and cooperation, the lack of a clear Chinese response to the traditional stance on separating border issues from broader diplomatic relations leaves the path forward uncertain. The BRICS summit provided a platform for dialogue, but the long-standing dispute continues to test the depth of mutual trust between the two nations.