China and India Strengthen Ties Ahead of New Delhi BRICS Summit

The Government of China and the Government of India are pursuing a strategic realignment to stabilize bilateral relations and coordinate leadership within the BRICS bloc. On April 1, 2026, Chinese Ambassador Xu Feihong marked the 76th anniversary of diplomatic ties, describing the two nations as neighbours that cannot be moved apart and urging the realization of a Dragon-Elephant Tango through practical cooperation.

This diplomatic push follows a March call by Foreign Minister Wang Yi for mutual support during the two nations' respective BRICS presidencies over the next two years. Consul General Qin Jie noted that relations are moving in the correct direction under the leadership of President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, citing the upcoming BRICS Summit in New Delhi as a primary opportunity to deepen stability and friendship.

Recent efforts to normalize ties include the appointment of Vikram Doraiswami as India's Ambassador to China and a February Strategic Dialogue in New Delhi between Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and Executive Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu. These diplomatic steps are coinciding with a surge in air connectivity, with carriers such as IndiGo and China Southern Airlines launching or resuming flights between cities including Delhi, Guangzhou, Kolkata, and Shanghai.