Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Chinese President Xi Jinping during the 16th BRICS Summit in Kazan on October 23. This was their first official meeting in almost five years. They talked about key topics in India-China relations, such as border problems, ways to keep peace, and how they can work together in the future.
In a post on social media platform X, PM Modi mentioned the importance of maintaining positive relations between India and China, not only for the benefit of the two countries but also for ensuring regional and global peace and stability. He stated that the foundation of the relationship would be based on three key principles: "mutual trust, mutual respect, and mutual sensitivity."
This meeting happened soon after India and China agreed to pull back their soldiers from the Line of Actual Control (LAC). The two countries had been in a tense situation for four and a half years, which started in 2020 after the clashes in Galwan Valley.
Bilateral meeting focuses on border agreement
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said that PM Modi and President Xi Jinping mostly talked about the recent agreement on patrolling along the LAC. This agreement helped solve many problems that started after the 2020 border clashes. Both countries now agree on how to handle patrolling in the disputed border areas.
The MEA said that PM Modi was happy about the agreement and hoped that both countries would fully pull back their forces and solve all border issues for good. He stressed the importance of handling disagreements carefully to avoid future problems that could disturb peace in the area.
PM Modi also said that it is very important for India and China to manage their disagreements in a way that doesn’t disturb the peace and calmness in the border areas.
Steps towards improved relations and dialogue
During the meeting, both leaders agreed that India and China should keep talking to improve their relationship. They said that the Special Representatives for the India-China border issue will meet soon to check on the progress and find a fair solution to the border problems. They also mentioned that talks will continue through meetings between foreign ministers and other important officials to keep things moving forward.
The MEA said that both leaders agreed it is important for India and China to have stable, friendly, and predictable relations. Since they are neighbours and the two biggest countries in the world, their relationship can have a good effect not just on their own regions but also on the world. Better cooperation between India and China could help bring peace and prosperity to the region and the world.
The ministry also said that working together would help create a world and an Asia where no single country is too powerful. This would bring more balance and fairness to international relations, with many countries having influence instead of just one.
PM Modi and President Xi also said that it is important to build a strong relationship between their countries over the long term. They agreed that improving communication and finding ways to work together on development issues is essential. This cooperation would help not just India and China but also make the whole region more stable and help it grow.