BRICS Summit 2024, PM Modi- Xi Jinping Bilateral Meeting: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping held bilateral talks after 5 years on Wednesday, October 23 in the Russian city of Kazan. Both leaders emphasized on resolving the border dispute as soon as possible and maintaining mutual cooperation and mutual trust.
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This was the first bilateral meeting of the two leaders after the Galwan clash in 2020. In the 50-minute conversation, PM Modi said, ‘Maintaining peace and stability on the border should be our priority. Mutual trust, mutual respect and mutual sensitivity should remain the foundation of our relations. I am confident that we will talk with an open mind and our discussion will be constructive.’
PM Modi said-
We are holding a formal meeting after 5 years. We welcome the consensus reached on the problems that have arisen on the border in the last 4 years. Maintaining peace on the border should be our priority.
Earlier, Chinese President Xi Jinping said, “Both countries should handle their differences in a proper manner. We should strengthen communication and mutual cooperation to realize our development dreams. India and China should work together to maintain stable relations, which will help in achieving the development goals of both the countries.”
What next?
Special representatives of both the countries will soon meet to resolve the border dispute. NSA Ajit Doval from India and Foreign Minister Wang Yi from China will attend this meeting.
What did Xi Jinping say?
At the bilateral meeting between India and China, Chinese President Xi Jinping said, “I am very pleased to meet you in Kazan. This is the first formal meeting in five years. Both the people of our two countries and the international community are paying great attention to our meeting. China and India are both ancient civilisations, major developing countries and important members of the Global South. We are both at a critical stage in our respective modernisation efforts. This best serves the fundamental interests of both our countries and peoples.
PM Modi’s tweet
Soon after the meeting ended, PM Modi posted on Instagram. He wrote, “Met President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Kazan BRICS Summit. India-China relations are important for the people of our countries and for regional and global peace and stability. Mutual trust, mutual respect and mutual sensitivity will guide bilateral relations.”
Last meeting in 2019
The top leaders of the two developing countries last met in an informal summit in Mahabalipuram in October 2019, months before the Chinese incursion in eastern Ladakh led to a military standoff along the LAC. Though they have had a few brief meetings in Bali (2022) and Johannesburg (2023), Wednesday’s (October 23, 2024) meeting is the first proper bilateral meeting.
Experts believe that the meeting between PM Modi and Xi Jinping is a big breakthrough towards ending the deadlock that has been going on for four years.
When did PM Modi and Xi Jinping meet?
Prime Minister Modi’s first conversation with President Xi Jinping took place on the occasion of the BRICS summit in Fortaleza, Brazil. This meeting is considered very important in diplomatic circles, because after this meeting a platform for diplomatic relations between PM Modi and Xi Jinping and the two countries could be created. Then both the countries had talked about increasing cooperation with each other.
A few months later, Xi Jinping came on a state visit to India on 17 September 2014. During this visit, the two leaders sought to increase cooperation in areas such as trade, civilian nuclear energy and connectivity. However, while discussions on economic and cultural relations continued, the unresolved border issue between the two countries remained inconclusive.
PM Modi’s state visit to China (14 May 2015)
- PM Modi had made a three-day state visit.
- Xi Jinping hosted him in his home town of Xi’an.
- There were detailed discussions on border issues, military relations and trade.
BRICS and SCO summit (8 July 2015)
- During the conference in Russia, Modi had expressed concern over the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
- China’s stand on terrorism was also raised.
- During this time PM Modi and Xi Jinping met.
G20 summit (4 September 2016)
- Modi and Jinping met in Hangzhou, China.
- China’s opposition to India’s membership in the UNSC was in the news.
Astana SCO Summit (9 June 2017)
- A bilateral meeting was held between India and China amid the Doklam standoff.
- PM Modi had stressed on the need to strengthen communication channels.
G20 Summit (7 July 2017)
- Informal talks were held in Hamburg, Germany.
- The Doklam standoff was discussed.
BRICS Summit (5 September 2017)
- The first formal meeting took place in Xiamen.
- The importance of maintaining peace on the border was explained.
Wuhan Informal Summit (26 April 2018)
- Strategic and geopolitical issues were discussed.
- Steps were taken towards handling the border situation through diplomatic channels.
Qingdao SCO Summit (9 June 2018)
- The focus was on strengthening Wuhan diplomacy.
Mamallapuram Summit (11 October 2019)
- An informal meeting was held in Tamil Nadu.
G20 summit (15 November 2022)
- The first in-person talks since Covid-19 took place in Bali, Indonesia.
- There was discussion on the Galwan Valley conflict.
BRICS Summit (22 August 2023):
- There were brief talks in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Also read:
Meaning of PM Modi and Xi Jinping’s Meeting – Key Takeaways in 10 Points:
- First Bilateral Meeting in 5 Years: The meeting marked the first direct bilateral talks between the two leaders since 2019, signaling a potential thaw in tense relations.
- Focus on Border Peace: Discussions emphasized restoring peace along the India-China border, particularly in sensitive areas like Depsang Plains and Demchok.
- Trade Concerns: Despite political tensions, trade between India and China has continued, though the trade deficit is heavily in China’s favor, with India importing far more than it exports.
- Impact of Galwan Clash: Relations soured significantly after the 2020 Galwan clash, where 20 Indian soldiers were killed. This meeting is a step towards addressing that rift.
- Restoration of Patrol Rights: India and China have agreed to restore each other’s rights to patrol certain contested border areas, marking a positive development.
- Diplomatic Balancing Act: Both nations face a complex geopolitical dynamic, with political disagreements often overshadowing economic ties, making diplomacy essential.
- Pakistan Factor: China’s close relationship with Pakistan remains a major sticking point in India-China relations, especially regarding differing views on terrorism.
- Strategic Importance: The BRICS Summit provided a strategic platform for both nations to address broader issues beyond trade, focusing on trust, respect, and border security.
- Economic Dependency: Despite tensions, India remains heavily dependent on China for imports, especially in electronics and machinery, which are vital for both economies.
- Hope for Future Stability: Experts suggest that if India and China can rebuild trust, they could form a formidable economic partnership, benefiting both nations.
