Modi to Xi: Border peace 'essential' for better ties

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping met on the sidelines of the BRICS summit, where Modi underscored that peace and tranquillity along the frontier are an 'essential' basis for the development of India-China relations, while both leaders acknowledged 'steady progress' in their bilateral ties.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday conveyed to Chinese President Xi Jinping that peace and tranquillity along the frontier remains 'essential' basis for development of India-China relations, even as the two leaders welcomed 'steady progress' in the bilateral ties.

In their talks on the sidelines of the BRICS summit, the two leaders reaffirmed that both the countries should take a strategic and long-term perspective of their ties and differences should not become disputes, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

Key Discussions at BRICS Summit

A Chinese readout said Xi made four specific points on promoting the steady and sustained development of China-India relations that included calibrating the direction of the ties with a clear objective to move forward and considering each other as partners rather than rivals.

On economic front, Modi and Xi underlined the need to address each other's concerns, including structural trade imbalance and supply chain issues, and facilitation of meaningful and predictable market access, the MEA said.

The two leaders expressed commitment to a 'fair, reasonable, and mutually acceptable' resolution of the boundary question proceeding from the political perspective of their overall bilateral relations and the long-term interests of the two sides, it said.

In his remarks, Modi highlighted that both sides must be 'guided by three mutuals -- mutual respect, mutual sensitivity and mutual interest' in the ties.

Background and Recent Engagements

The meeting took place hours after Xi arrived in the national capital on a two-day visit to attend the BRICS summit, marking his first trip to India in seven years.

Xi's visit to India came on the heels of several high-level exchanges, including the Special Representative dialogue in Beijing between National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, even as lingering concerns remain over aggressive Chinese military posturing along the Arunachal Pradesh sector.

Modi and Xi held wide-ranging talks on August 31 last year on the margins of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Chinese city of Tianjin.

In the last few months, the two sides have taken a series of measures to rebuild their relationship after it came under severe strain following the deadly Galwan Valley clashes in 2020.

Progress and Future Outlook

The MEA said the two leaders welcomed the steady progress in India-China relations since their last meeting in Tianjin and reaffirmed that 'both countries should take a strategic and long term perspective of their ties'.

'The prime minister emphasised that peace and tranquillity in the border areas remains an essential basis for the continued development of bilateral relations,' it said.

'He underlined the need for both sides to observe existing agreements and understandings on border related issues,' it added.

The MEA said the 'two leaders took note of the progress in people-to-people ties and underscored the need to further promote cultural exchanges, business linkages and greater mobility between the two countries'.

'The two leaders agreed that both sides must continue to expand common ground on regional and global issues, and in addressing challenges,' it said.

The prime minister appreciated China's support for India's BRICS chairship and its contributions towards the success of the grouping's summit.

'We reviewed the full range of India-China relations. Also conveyed best wishes for China's BRICS Presidency that commences next year,' Modi said on social media.

In his televised opening remarks, Xi said Beijing has always viewed the development of India-China relations from a 'strategic and long-term perspective'.

The Chinese readout said President Xi made four observations on promoting the steady and sustained development of China-India relations.

'First, calibrate the direction with an objective and rational strategic perception. China and India are partners rather than rivals, and development opportunities rather than threats to each other,' it said.

'Second, help each other succeed in the spirit of win-win cooperation. Both sides should focus on development as the greatest common denominator, and strengthen friendly exchanges and mutually beneficial cooperation,' it said.

It is important to expand cooperation in people-to-people exchanges, direct flights, and other areas to effectively improve the public perception of the bilateral relations, according to the readout.

Xi said the two sides should also address each other's economic and trade concerns in a 'balanced way'.

'Third, remove irritants with the political wisdom of mutual respect and mutual understanding. The two sides should stay committed to advancing bilateral relations and resolving the boundary question, seek parallel, mutually reinforcing progress, and maintain peace and tranquillity in the border areas,' the Chinese readout said.

'Fourth, contribute to a better world with open and inclusive multilateral coordination,' it said.

Xi also told Modi that the two sides should use political wisdom and mutual respect to remove obstacles in bilateral ties.

After over four years of frosty ties over the eastern Ladakh military standoff, India and China began to repair the relations following a meeting between Modi and Xi in the Russian city of Kazan in October 2024 that took place after the face-off ended.

The talks between Modi and Xi covered a range of issues including reducing their trade deficit, tackling challenges like terrorism and ensuring fair trade in multilateral platforms.