'Border Peace Should Be Priority': PM Modi Stresses Mutual Trust In Talks With Xi Jinping

In a significant development, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday held a bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, their first meeting in more than five years after the two countries reached a breakthrough in their four-year-long military standoff along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

Highlighting the importance of mutual respect and trust, PM Modi welcomed the recent agreement between the two countries for complete disengagement and resolution of issues that arose in 2020 in the India-China border areas.

“As you said, this is our first formal meeting after five years. We welcome the agreements that we have reached over the border. Maintaining peace and tranquillity over the border should remain our priority. Mutual trust, mutual respect and mutual sensitivity should remain the basis of our relationship,” PM Modi said during the bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in Russia’s Kazan.

“I am sure that we will talk with an open mind and our discussion will be constructive,” the Prime Minister added.

In addition to this, the two leaders agreed that the Special Representatives on the India-China boundary question will meet at an early date to oversee the management of peace and tranquility in border areas and to explore a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable solution to the boundary question.

Taking to X, PM Modi 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.”

The meeting holds significance as New Delhi and Beijing on Monday announced that they have reached an agreement on patrolling along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh, in a major breakthrough in ending the over four-year-long military standoff.

‘India-China Relationship Very Important’: Xi Jinping

After meeting PM Narendra Modi after almost five years, Chinese President Xi Jinping said that it is his pleasure to meet the Indian Prime Minister.

‘It’s my pleasure to meet you (PM Modi) in Kazan. It is important for both sides to have more communication. We are meeting formally after 5 years. Our relations are very important,” President Xi Jinping said.

India-China Ties

During the meeting, the two leaders affirmed stable, predictable and amicable bilateral relations between India and China, as two neighbours and the two largest nations on earth, will have a positive impact on regional and global peace and prosperity.

The leaders underlined the need to progress bilateral relations from a strategic and long-term perspective, enhance strategic communication and explore cooperation to address developmental challenges.