Asia
While China-India relations have improved in recent years, businesses in both countries continue to face hurdles, underlining the gap between diplomatic progress and economic ties, say analysts.
Chinese President Xi Jinping and India Prime Minister Narendra Modi meet on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia on Oct 23, 2024. (File photo: China Daily via Reuters)
11 Sep 2026 02:09PM
NEW DELHI: Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to New Delhi this week, 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.Businesses in both countries continue to face hurdles, including investments stalled by regulations, visa delays and restrictions on industrial equipment, underlining the gap between diplomatic progress and economic ties, analysts say.China's foreign ministry has confirmed Xi will be in Delhi this weekend for the annual BRICS summit, but there is no word yet if he will have a bilateral meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which will be crucial to set the future direction of bilateral ties.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.
