Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed to Chinese President Xi Jinping that peace and tranquillity along the border are essential for the development of India-China relations, emphasizing the strict observance of existing agreements on border management. The two leaders met on the sidelines of the BRICS summit.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that the leaders reaffirmed the need for a strategic and long-term perspective on bilateral ties, with differences needing to be managed to prevent them from becoming disputes. Discussions also touched upon economic cooperation, with both sides acknowledging the necessity to address concerns such as structural trade imbalances, supply chain issues, and the facilitation of predictable market access.
The meeting, held as President Xi arrived in India for the BRICS summit, his first visit in seven years, saw both leaders express a commitment to finding a fair, reasonable, and mutually acceptable resolution to the boundary question. This approach is to be guided by the political perspective of overall bilateral relations and the long-term interests of both nations.
Prime Minister Modi articulated that the India-China relationship must be guided by three mutual principles: mutual respect, mutual sensitivity, and mutual interest. The talks occurred in the context of efforts to rebuild the relationship following the significant strain caused by the 2020 Galwan Valley clashes.
Both leaders welcomed the steady progress in India-China relations since their previous meeting in Tianjin, China, last year. They reiterated the importance of maintaining peace and tranquillity in the border areas as a fundamental basis for the continued development of bilateral ties.
The Prime Minister underscored the importance of adhering to all existing agreements and understandings concerning border-related issues. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) reported that the leaders also noted the progress in people-to-people exchanges and stressed the need to further promote cultural and business linkages, as well as greater mobility between the two countries.
Furthermore, Prime Minister Modi and President Xi agreed that both sides should continue to expand common ground on regional and global issues and in addressing shared challenges. Prime Minister Modi also expressed appreciation for China’s support of India’s BRICS chairmanship and its contributions to the summit’s success.
In his televised opening remarks, President Xi stated that Beijing has consistently viewed the development of India-China relations from a strategic and long-term perspective. He noted that despite differing national conditions, the two countries can fully support each other and pursue common development paths. He also highlighted the significant responsibilities both China and India, as the world’s most populous nations and key members of the Global South, shoulder in the current complex international landscape.
President Xi called for enhanced cooperation and a drive towards an inclusive economic future, emphasizing the need for both nations to keep in mind the future of humanity and the well-being of their people. The BRICS summit provided a platform for these discussions aimed at navigating the evolving geopolitical and economic landscape.
The engagement between the two leaders comes after a period of efforts to mend relations, which began to show signs of repair following a meeting between Prime Minister Modi and President Xi in Kazan, Russia, in October 2024, after the eastern Ladakh military standoff had concluded. The discussions also encompassed efforts to reduce trade deficits, tackle challenges such as militancy, and ensure fair trade practices in multilateral forums.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
