Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in Russia to improve ties that were damaged by a deadly clash along their disputed border in 2020. The leaders agreed to boost communication and cooperation between their countries, with India welcoming the agreement to resolve the military standoff in Ladakh. Both sides emphasized the importance of peace, stability, mutual trust, and respect in their relationship. The meeting marked the first formal talks between Modi and Xi in five years, indicating a positive shift in their relations.
The two leaders directed their officials to take further steps to stabilize all aspects of bilateral ties and strengthen communication and cooperation. Both India and China have maintained strong trade ties despite the tensions. Modi proposed ideas for improving bilateral relations, which Xi agreed with in principle. The two leaders discussed the importance of resolving conflicts and differences while realizing each other’s development dreams.
Diplomatic efforts gained momentum after their foreign ministers met in July to ease border tensions. India had previously blocked direct flights between the two countries, increased scrutiny of Chinese investments, and practically barred issuing visas to Chinese nationals following the Ladakh clashes. Both Modi and Xi expressed optimism for better relations moving forward, with a focus on restoring peace and tranquility on the border to create space for normalization of bilateral ties. The recent meeting in Kazan and their commitment to resolving conflicts signify a positive step towards improving relations between the two countries.
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