Xi urges BRICS peace role in Middle East, courts Modi on India visit

BRICS, originally comprising ​Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa and expanded to include Egypt, Ethiopia, ​Indonesia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates, was set up in 2009 ⁠to challenge a world order dominated by the United States and its ​Western allies.

Its members account for more than 40% of the world's population and ​almost a quarter of the global economy. The Chinese leader called the bloc a "leading group" in the Global South and a model of self-reliance among emerging and developing countries that should ​promote innovation-driven development.

He said China would assume the BRICS chairmanship next year, and ​host the 19th BRICS summit,. In a meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra ‌Modi ⁠on the sidelines of the summit, Xi said China views ties with India from a "strategic, long-term perspective," state-run Xinhua News Agency reported.

China and India can learn from each other's strengths and achieve shared development, Xinhua quoted Xi as saying. Xi's ​visit to New Delhi, ​his first to ⁠India in seven years, should further the diplomatic thaw between the giant neighbours, but there are few signs as ​yet that their business ties will improve, analysts said.

China and India ​fought a ⁠brief war in 1962, setting the backdrop for a wary relationship since then, which soured after a 2020 border skirmish killed 20 Indian and four Chinese soldiers. ⁠Still, ​ties have improved in recent years, especially since ​Modi visited China last year and as both nations grapple with volatile relationships with the US.