PM Modi and Xi Jinping's 50-Minute BRICS Chat: Border Peace and Global Stability in Focus!
NEW DELHI – On October 23, 2024, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping met for a bilateral meeting during the BRICS Summit in Russia, marking their first significant interaction in five years. The 50-minute discussion came at a crucial time, as both nations recently agreed to restore mutual patrolling rights in the Depsang Plains and Demchok areas of eastern Ladakh, signaling efforts to resolve long-standing border disputes.
Focus on Peace and Stability
During the meeting, Prime Minister Modi emphasized the importance of maintaining peace along the border, stating, “Our meeting is significant for global peace and stability. The agreement on border patrols is a positive step, and I believe our discussions will be constructive and open-minded.”
In response, President Xi expressed optimism about the meeting, saying, “I am pleased to meet you in Kazan after five years. The people of both nations and the international community are closely watching our meeting. China and India are both ancient civilizations and key members of the Global South, and we are at a critical stage in our modernization efforts.”
A Historic Bilateral Discussion
This meeting is seen as a breakthrough in the ongoing four-year standoff between India and China, which began after the 2019 Mahabalipuram Summit, just months before the military clash at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh. While Modi and Xi had brief encounters at the G20 Summit in Bali (2022) and BRICS Summit in Johannesburg (2023), this was their first in-depth bilateral meeting since the border tensions escalated.
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Experts view the Modi-Xi dialogue as a significant step toward de-escalation and stability. The resumption of patrolling rights in sensitive areas, like Depsang and Demchok, highlights both nations' willingness to address military tensions through diplomatic channels.
A Timeline of Modi-Xi Meetings
Prime Minister Modi and President Xi’s diplomatic relationship dates back to their first meeting at the BRICS Summit in Fortaleza, Brazil, in 2014. Since then, they have met multiple times to discuss economic, strategic, and border issues:
- September 2014: Xi Jinping’s state visit to India, where both leaders discussed trade and border issues.
- May 2015: Modi’s state visit to China, focusing on border disputes, military relations, and economic cooperation.
- July 2017: Bilateral meeting at the G20 Summit in Hamburg, amid the Doklam standoff.
- April 2018: Informal summit in Wuhan, where the focus was on strategic communication and de-escalation.
- October 2019: Informal summit in Mahabalipuram, shortly before tensions flared at the LAC.
- November 2022: Modi and Xi held their first in-person conversation after the COVID-19 pandemic at the G20 Summit in Bali.
- August 2023: A brief interaction at the BRICS Summit in Johannesburg.
Moving Toward Resolution
As Modi and Xi navigate the complexities of Indo-China relations, the recent agreement on border patrols reflects a mutual desire to resolve issues through dialogue. Modi, in his address, stated, "Open communication and constructive discussions are crucial for resolving disputes and ensuring regional peace."
With their shared history and global influence, the future of India-China relations will likely continue to draw international attention, particularly as both nations play leading roles in global economic and political arenas.
This meeting at the BRICS Summit has sparked renewed hope for lasting peace and cooperation between the two Asian giants, as they work toward a future of mutual respect and stability.
