A high-level six-member delegation from the Communist Party of China (CPC), led by Vice Minister Sun Haiyan, is in New Delhi for a series of historic party-to-party engagements. This visit, taking place on January 12–13, 2026, is the first of its kind since the 2020 Galwan Valley clash and signals a significant shift in political engagement.
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1. Key Meetings in New Delhi
The delegation’s visit adds a political layer to the state-to-state diplomacy resumed after the Modi-Xi meeting in Kazan (October 2024).
Meeting with BJP: On January 12, the delegation visited the BJP Headquarters. Discussions led by BJP General Secretary Arun Singh and Foreign Affairs in-charge Vijay Chauthaiwale focused on “advancing inter-party communications.“
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Meeting with RSS: On January 13, the delegation met with RSS General Secretary Dattatreya Hosabale at the Sangh’s Delhi office. This meeting is particularly notable as it occurs during the RSS Centenary Year and marks a rare direct interaction with the ideological parent of the ruling party.
Future Engagements: Sources indicate the delegation is also expected to meet with a Congress delegation led by Salman Khurshid in the coming days.
2. Signs of the 2026 “Thaw”
The political visit follows several concrete steps taken throughout 2025 to normalize the relationship:
| Sector | Status as of January 2026 |
| Kailash Mansarovar | Resumed in 2025; discussions ongoing for expanded batches in 2026. |
| Direct Flights | Air India to resume Delhi-Shanghai flights on Feb 1, 2026. China Eastern resumed daily Delhi-Shanghai flights on Jan 2, 2026. |
| Border (LAC) | Successful disengagement in key friction points; patrolling resumed in late 2024/2025. |
| Visas | Significant easing for business travelers, students, and tourists to boost people-to-people ties. |
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3. Political Reaction & Controversy
The visit has sparked a sharp domestic political debate in India:
Opposition Criticism: The Congress party labeled the meeting “treasonous,” questioning why the BJP is hosting a CPC delegation while China continues to stake claims in areas like the Shaksgam Valley and build villages in Arunachal Pradesh.
BJP Response: The ruling party maintains that inter-party dialogue is a standard tool of “track-two diplomacy” used to share perspectives and manage tensions outside of formal government channels.
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