India is hosting the September 12 to 13 summit, where Xi's presence would be watched less for the BRICS ​agenda than for what it signals about Beijing and New Delhi's efforts to stabilise countries' relation.

“Chinese officials are busy finalising hotels and security protocols,” one of the ⁠Indian sources with direct knowledge told Reuters.

Last year, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited China for the first time ​in seven years, but the relationship has only improved gradually. More recently, a fresh border-related dispute triggered sharp diplomatic ​exchanges between the two sides.

Xi's ​final travel plans and agenda for any potential bilateral between India and China are yet to be finalised, the sources said.

The Chinese foreign ‌ministry ⁠said, “China attaches great importance to and actively participates in BRICS cooperation, and supports India, the current chair, in successfully hosting this year's BRICS summit.”