Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday during the BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia, marking their first formal bilateral discussion since 2019. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri confirmed the planned meeting during a Tuesday evening press briefing in Kazan, with the exact timing yet to be announced.
PM Modi to hold bilateral talks with Xi Jinping at BRICS
This high-level meeting follows a significant breakthrough in India-China relations, as both nations recently agreed to resume patrolling operations at contested points along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh.
Tensions have remained high in this region since the Galwan Valley clash in 2020, which marked a significant deterioration in bilateral relations.
India-China agreement on LAC patrolling
The timing of this diplomatic engagement is particularly noteworthy, coming immediately after the announcement of the LAC patrolling agreement.
The meeting represents a potential thaw in the relationship between the two Asian powers, which has been strained over border disputes and military tensions.
What do PM Modi and Xi Jinping’s meeting underscore?
The bilateral discussion at the BRICS Summit provides both leaders an opportunity to address outstanding issues and potentially chart a course for improved relations. This meeting could signal a shift in the diplomatic dynamics between India and China, though challenges remain in resolving the broader border disputes and other bilateral issues.
The outcome of this meeting could have significant implications for regional stability and the future of India-China relations, particularly regarding border management and bilateral cooperation.
