Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed to Chinese President Xi Jinping that peace and tranquillity along the frontier remains the essential basis for the development of India-China relations.

The two leaders welcomed steady progress in bilateral ties during their talks on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in New Delhi.

Both leaders reaffirmed that India and China should adopt a strategic and long-term perspective in their relations. They stressed that differences must not be allowed to escalate into disputes, according to the Ministry of External Affairs.

On the economic front, Modi and Xi underlined the importance of addressing structural trade imbalances and supply chain issues. They emphasised the need for meaningful and predictable market access to ensure fair and balanced trade.

The leaders expressed commitment to a fair, reasonable, and mutually acceptable resolution of the boundary question. They agreed that this must proceed from the political perspective of overall bilateral relations and the long-term interests of both sides.

Modi highlighted that ties must be guided by three mutuals — mutual respect, mutual sensitivity, and mutual interest. He stressed that peace and tranquillity in the border areas remain the essential basis for continued development of bilateral relations.

The meeting took place shortly after Xi arrived in New Delhi on a two-day visit, marking his first trip to India in seven years.

His visit followed several high-level exchanges, including the Special Representative dialogue in Beijing between National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Concerns remain over aggressive Chinese military posturing along the Arunachal Pradesh sector.

Modi and Xi had previously held wide-ranging talks in Tianjin on the margins of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in August last year. In recent months, both sides have taken steps to rebuild ties after the deadly Galwan Valley clashes in 2020 severely strained relations.

The Ministry of External Affairs noted that the leaders welcomed steady progress in relations since their last meeting in Tianjin. Modi emphasised the importance of observing existing agreements and understandings on border-related issues.

The leaders also acknowledged progress in people-to-people ties. They underscored the need to further promote cultural exchanges, business linkages, and greater mobility between the two countries. They agreed to expand common ground on regional and global issues and to jointly address challenges.

Modi appreciated China’s support for India’s BRICS chairship and its contributions to the success of the summit. He conveyed best wishes for China’s upcoming BRICS presidency.

In his televised remarks, Xi stated that Beijing has always viewed India-China relations from a strategic and long-term perspective. He said that despite differing national conditions, both countries can support each other and pursue a common development path.

Xi emphasised that China and India, as the world’s two most populous nations and key members of the Global South, shoulder significant responsibilities. He urged both sides to join hands to promote cooperation and strive for an inclusive economic future.

Xi told Modi that political wisdom and mutual respect must be used to remove obstacles in bilateral ties. He said progress on bilateral relations and the boundary question should proceed in parallel, with each supporting the other, while maintaining peace and tranquillity in border areas.

After over four years of frosty ties due to the eastern Ladakh military standoff, India and China began repairing relations following a meeting between Modi and Xi in Kazan, Russia, in October 2024. That meeting came after the face-off ended.

The latest talks covered a wide range of issues, including reducing the trade deficit, tackling terrorism, and ensuring fair trade practices in multilateral platforms.

PTI