New Delhi, Sept. 12 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to New Delhi for the BRICS Summit has drawn attention not only to his bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, but also to the presence of Cai Qi, one of Xi's closest and most influential political aides.

Cai Qi is a member of the Politburo Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China and serves as the director of the General Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee. He is widely regarded as a trusted member of Xi's inner circle and plays an important role in coordinating key political and policy matters.

His presence alongside Xi in Delhi is significant against the backdrop of efforts by India and China to stabilise relations after years of tension. The two countries have been gradually rebuilding engagement following the 2020 Galwan Valley clash, with diplomatic and military-level contacts increasing since the 2024 disengagement agreement.

Cai has also previously interacted with Modi. During Modi's meeting with Xi in Tianjin in August 2025, the Prime Minister separately met Cai and shared his vision for India-China relations, seeking his support in implementing the understanding reached between the two leaders. Cai, in turn, reiterated Beijing's desire to expand bilateral exchanges and improve relations.

His role makes his participation in the Delhi summit particularly noteworthy as India and China seek to build on the recent improvement in ties. The two sides have resumed direct flights and increased diplomatic engagement, while continuing discussions on unresolved border-related issues and economic concerns.

Xi's India visit, his first in seven years, is itself being closely watched. Modi and Xi are expected to hold bilateral talks on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit, with the relationship, trade, border issues and broader regional developments likely to feature in their discussions.

Cai's presence therefore adds another layer to the India-China engagement at the summit, particularly as both sides attempt to maintain the momentum in their diplomatic ties while managing longstanding differences.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.