BEIJING/NEW DELHI — Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered a dual message at the BRICS summit, calling on member nations to ramp up cooperation on artificial intelligence while criticising the ongoing Middle East conflict as counterproductive to global interests. The remarks came during his highly anticipated visit to India, the first by a Chinese president in seven years, marking a significant diplomatic moment in Sino-Indian relations.
Addressing the summit participants, Xi emphasised that the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence presents both opportunities and challenges for developing nations. He proposed a new initiative aimed at leveraging AI to drive what he described as "new industrialisation" across BRICS countries — a framework that would see member states share technology, build joint research institutions, and create standards that reflect the perspectives of emerging economies rather than being dominated by Western tech powers.
The Chinese leader also weighed in on the Middle East situation, stating bluntly that the continued warfare in the region does not serve the interests of the broader international community. While he did not name specific countries or conflicts directly in the summit address, the comments were widely interpreted as a reference to the devastating war in Gaza and the wider regional instability involving Israel, Iran, and various proxy groups that has disrupted global energy supplies and trade routes.
Xi's visit to India comes at a delicate moment in bilateral relations. Border tensions along the Line of Actual Control in Ladakh have occupied much of the diplomatic attention between the two Asian giants since 2020, yet both sides have pursued a process of de-escalation in recent months. The Chinese president's arrival in New Delhi signals a willingness on Beijing's part to keep diplomatic channels open despite unresolved disagreements.
Analysts note that China's push for deeper AI collaboration within BRICS aligns with Beijing's broader strategy to position itself as a technological leader among developing nations. The initiative could include provisions for data-sharing agreements, joint funding mechanisms, and perhaps a unified BRICS approach to AI governance — an area where China has already invested heavily domestically through companies like Baidu, Alibaba, and Huawei.
The BRICS grouping, which includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, and several newer members, has increasingly positioned itself as an alternative forum to Western-dominated institutions like the G7. Xi's proposals are expected to be discussed in detail during the summit's working sessions, though no immediate announcements of binding agreements are anticipated.
