BRICS Summit: Xi-Modi to discuss rare earths, visas, investment
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Photo: AP
New Delhi: President Xi Jinping is set to arrive in India at 12:25 pm on Saturday for a tightly scheduled 24-hour visit, marking his first bilateral trip to the country in seven years.
Discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi are expected to focus on rare earths, business visas and investment, alongside broader efforts to improve bilateral relations.
Xi will attend the BRICS summit and hold bilateral discussions with Modi later in the day. The two leaders are likely to review the recent improvement in ties, including developments in negotiations over the border. Officials from both countries have indicated that the talks are progressing in the desired direction, The New Indian Express reported.
However, economic issues are expected to form an important part of the engagement. Rare earths have emerged as a major concern as China continues to dominate the global supply chain while India seeks to strengthen its manufacturing capabilities in strategically important industries. According to sources, a less restrictive approach to trade would benefit both countries.
Rare-earth magnets are widely used in electric motors, actuators, hard drives and robots. At the same time, the infrastructure required for AI data centres relies significantly on materials such as copper and aluminium, along with transformers.
Participants in the rare-earth supply chain are closely watching November 10, 2026, when China’s export controls are scheduled to come back into force, unless the existing suspension is extended or the measures are withdrawn.
Under China’s Announcement No. 61, export licensing requirements may apply to foreign-made products containing specified Chinese-origin rare earth materials above certain limits. The rules could also cover products manufactured using designated Chinese rare-earth technologies or incorporating controlled Chinese-origin components.
Market participants believe that if the measures are implemented, they could extend export restrictions further into international supply chains. This could affect equipment and technologies involved in rare-earth separation, strip-alloy production and magnet manufacturing.
Visa facilitation is also expected to be discussed. Indian businesses have been seeking easier access to business visas for Chinese partners, while China has similarly sought greater visa facilitation from India, including improved access for Chinese tourists.
Sources said the Xi-Modi meeting comes at an important stage in bilateral relations, with progress in border negotiations suggesting greater stability. Both sides have also taken several confidence-building measures aimed at normalising ties.
However, the next phase of India-China relations is likely to depend not only on diplomatic progress but also on whether economic cooperation can remain resilient in the face of increasing strategic and supply-chain vulnerabilities.