PM Modi, Jinping held first official meet in 5 years; emphasize on importance of India-China relations
Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed the recent agreement to resolve the border standoff and emphasized to Chinese President Xi Jinping the importance of prioritizing peace and stability on the border for both countries. The two leaders had their first official meeting in five years on the sidelines of the Brics Summit in Kazan, Russia.
“We believe that the India-China relationship is very important not only for our people but also for global peace, stability and progress,” PM Modi said, adding that “mutual trust, respect and sensitivity will guide bilateral relations”.
PM Modi and President Xi’s last meeting took place back in October 2019, in the backdrop of the 7th century Panch Ratha monument in Mamallapuram, Tamil Nadu.
Meeting comes two days after the landmark border agreement
On Monday, the two countries agreed to restart patrols at important friction points along the Line of Actual Control in eastern Ladakh, which will result in disengagement.
The successful border agreement, following lengthy negotiations, along with the meeting in Kazan today, have sparked optimism for an improvement in relations that suffered greatly after a violent clash between the two countries’ militaries in Galwan Valley in June 2020.
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PM Modi emphasizes need for mutual trust and respect
During the meeting, PM Modi emphasized on the significance of managing differences and disputes appropriately without letting them disrupt peace and tranquillity.
Following the meeting, PM Modi tweeted, “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 government stated that the discussion between the two global leaders focused on stabilizing and reconstructing bilateral ties.
According to a statement from the Ministry of External Affairs, Prime Minister Modi and President Xi have agreed to make full use of current diplomatic channels, such as Foreign Ministers’ meetings, to tackle issues and strengthen cooperation.
“The two leaders affirmed that 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 MEA said.
During a press conference, Vikram Misri, India’s foreign secretary, stated that PM Modi underscored the importance of not letting disagreements on boundary issues disrupt peace and tranquillity along borders.
President Xi emphasizes importance of having more communication
During the delegation-level talks, Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized the importance for both countries to increase communication and cooperation in order to handle differences effectively.
“It’s important for both sides to have more communication and cooperation, properly handle our differences and disagreements, and to facilitate each other’s pursuit of development aspirations. It’s also important for both sides to shoulder our international responsibility, set an example for boosting the strength and unity of developing countries and to contribute to promoting multi-polarization and democracy in international relations,” Xi Jinping said.
