China confirms Xi's first India visit in seven years

China has confirmed that President Xi Jinping will travel to India, ending a seven-year gap in visits by the Chinese leader to the South Asian nation. The announcement comes as both countries seek to improve economic ties and explore avenues for normalisation following recent border tensions.

Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao and Indian Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal are scheduled to hold bilateral discussions on the sidelines of upcoming international engagements, signalling intensified efforts to strengthen trade relations between the two nations.

The visit represents a significant diplomatic gesture amid efforts to reset ties and establish dialogue channels on economic and trade matters. Officials from both sides are expected to discuss mechanisms for addressing trade imbalances and expanding commercial cooperation across key sectors.

Xi's previous visit to India in 2015 had focused on infrastructure development and regional connectivity. The upcoming visit is likely to carry similar emphasis on economic partnerships while also addressing broader regional stability concerns.