Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday, 12 September announced that China will assume the 2027 BRICS Chairship and host the 19th BRICS Summit, pledging to work with all member nations to 'usher in the third golden decade of BRICS cooperation.' The declaration came on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Summit, currently under way at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi under India's chairship.

Xi's vision for China's BRICS tenure

According to a post on X by Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning, President Xi said Beijing would 'seize the opportunity to build consensus and work with all parties to plan for the future.' The statement signals China's intent to shape the bloc's strategic direction at a time when BRICS has expanded its membership and is seeking to position itself as a counterweight in global governance.

Notably, this will mark China's second turn at the BRICS helm — the last being in 2022, when Beijing steered the bloc's landmark expansion drive. Whether the 'third golden decade' framing translates into concrete institutional reform or remains rhetorical will be closely watched by analysts.

Xi calls for ceasefire in the Middle East

President Xi also addressed the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, stating that the war 'has inflicted serious losses on the people of all countries in the region' and is 'against the common interests of the international community.' He urged relevant parties to pursue political settlement and work toward a 'permanent, comprehensive ceasefire,' adding that China would collaborate with fellow BRICS members to 'play a due role in bringing peace and tranquillity to the Middle East.'

This comes amid growing BRICS attention to West Asian geopolitics, with several newer member states — including Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Egypt — directly affected by regional instability.

Modi–Xi bilateral meeting at Bharat Mandapam

Earlier on Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi held a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the summit. At the outset, PM Modi expressed gratitude for China's support during India's BRICS chairship.

'I feel very happy in welcoming you. I thank you for your positive statement at the BRICS Summit. I express my gratitude for the support and cooperation received from China during India's BRICS chairship. We now have the opportunity to discuss bilateral cooperation. Once again, a warm welcome to you in India,' PM Modi said.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, and other senior officials were present during the meeting. The bilateral engagement is significant given that India–China relations have been strained over the Line of Actual Control (LAC) standoff, with recent diplomatic thaws offering cautious optimism.

India's role as BRICS 2026 chair

As the BRICS Chair for 2026, India is hosting the two-day 18th BRICS Summit at Bharat Mandapam, bringing together leaders of member and partner countries as well as outreach invitees. The summit's agenda reportedly includes trade facilitation, de-dollarisation discussions, and climate cooperation — themes that will likely carry forward into China's chairship year.

With the baton set to pass from New Delhi to Beijing, all eyes will be on whether the two Asian giants can sustain diplomatic momentum beyond the multilateral stage and translate it into tangible bilateral progress.