India, Sept. 10 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping will visit India this week for the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, marking his first trip to the country in nearly seven years and raising expectations of a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi amid efforts to stabilise bilateral ties.

At the invitation of Modi, Xi will attend the summit on September 12 and 13, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Thursday.

Sources here said Xi is expected to meet Modi on the sidelines of the summit.

The visit comes against the backdrop of efforts by India and China to normalise relations following a prolonged freeze after the 2020 Eastern Ladakh standoff. It is expected to be closely watched for indications of the direction of bilateral tie...