In a significant diplomatic development, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping held their first formal bilateral meeting in five years on Wednesday in Russia’s Kazan, marking a potential thaw in India-China relations that had deteriorated following the 2020 Galwan Valley clash.
PM Modi, Xi Jinping hold meeting at BRICS
The meeting, which took place on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit, follows a recent breakthrough in diplomatic and military talks that restored the pre-May 2020 status quo along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
What did PM Modi say in bilateral meeting with Xi Jinping?
PM Modi emphasized the global significance of India-China relations in his opening remarks. “We believe that the India-China relationship is very important not only for our people but also for global peace, stability and progress,” PM Modi stated.
He specifically highlighted the recent border consensus, adding, “Maintaining peace and stability on the border should remain our priority. Mutual trust, mutual respect and mutual sensitivity should remain the basis of our relations.”
What Xi Jinping said?
President Xi, in his response, acknowledged the international attention to their meeting and emphasized the countries’ shared characteristics. “China and India are both ancient civilisations, major developing countries, and important members of the Global South,” Xi noted.
He stressed the importance of bilateral communication, stating, “It is important for both sides to have more communication and cooperation, properly handle our differences and disagreements, and facilitate each other’s pursuit of development aspirations.”
Modi-Xi 1st formal meeting in 5 years
The meeting represents a potential shift in bilateral relations that has seen significant restrictions since 2020. During this period, direct flights between the two nations were suspended, Chinese technical visas faced additional scrutiny, and investments from China-adjacent countries required enhanced security clearances.
While brief interactions occurred between the leaders at the 2022 G20 summit in Bali and the 2023 BRICS summit in Johannesburg, this marks their first comprehensive bilateral discussion since the border crisis began.
What does this meeting underscore?
The talks follow a recent breakthrough in border arrangements, suggesting a possible de-escalation in the region where both nations had deployed tens of thousands of troops. The outcome of this meeting could determine the restoration of normal trade, economic, and people-to-people ties between the two Asian giants.
This high-level dialogue represents a crucial moment in Asian geopolitics, potentially influencing regional stability and economic cooperation between the world’s two most populous nations. The international community watches closely as these neighbouring powers attempt to navigate their complex relationship while maintaining their respective strategic interests.
