In a significant diplomatic development, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping met on Wednesday in Kazan, Russia, on the sidelines of BRICS Summit 2024. This marked the first bilateral meeting since 2019. This meeting comes in the wake of deteriorating ties between India and China, particularly after the military standoff in Ladakh, which was triggered by Beijing’s unilateral violations of the Line of Actual Control (LAC), the de facto boundary between the two nations.
A Moment of Diplomatic Significance
The meeting occurred on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit, just days after both countries achieved a diplomatic and military breakthrough aimed at restoring the status quo to pre-May 2020 conditions, prior to the escalation of tensions following the Galwan Valley clash.
This breakthrough in patrolling arrangements signals a potential de-escalation in the region, where both countries have stationed tens of thousands of troops.
JUST IN: Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Modi hold a bilateral meeting at BRICS Summit, the first in five years.
This follows a historic agreement between the two countries to end their border crisis. pic.twitter.com/JXBvr5XZSc
— BRICS News (@BRICSinfo) October 23, 2024
Key Statements from the Leaders
In opening remarks, PM Modi expressed optimism about the future of India-China relations. “Excellency, I am happy to meet you, and like you mentioned, this is a formal meeting between us after five years.
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It is my belief that the importance of India-China relations is not just for the citizens of our two countries, but also very significant for peace, stability, and progress for the entire world.”
He emphasized the need for mutual trust and respect, stating, “Today, we have got an opportunity to speak about all these issues and I trust that we will hold these talks with an open mind and that our talks will be constructive going forward.”
President Xi reciprocated the sentiment, stating, “Mr. Prime Minister, it is my great pleasure to meet you here in Kazan. Both the people in our two countries and the international community are paying close attention to our meeting.”
He underscored the historical significance of the relationship, noting, “China and India are both ancient civilizations, major developing countries, and important members of the Global South.” Xi called for enhanced communication and cooperation to handle differences and contribute to global development.
Background and Context
While there have been brief interactions between the two leaders since the 2020 Galwan clash—notably at the G20 Summit in Bali in November 2022 and the BRICS Summit 2024 in Johannesburg in August 2023—this marks their first comprehensive discussion focused on trade, economy, and broader bilateral relations.
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Over the past four years, direct flights between India and China were suspended, and the granting of visas for Chinese technicians required extra layers of security clearance, highlighting the strained ties.
Looking Ahead
The outcome of this bilateral meeting could determine whether trade, economic, and people-to-people connections between India and China can return to normalcy. As both nations navigate the complexities of their relationship, the eyes of the international community remain fixed on their next steps in this evolving partnership.
