Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping are scheduled to hold their first formal meeting in five years at the upcoming Brics summit in Russia. The meeting marks a significant step in bilateral relations, following a violent border confrontation that occurred four years ago, causing tension between the two nations. This meeting comes shortly after India and China announced a deal to resolve a military standoff on their Himalayan frontier.
The Indian foreign secretary, Vikram Misri, confirmed the upcoming bilateral meeting between Modi and Xi Jinping, stating that the exact time and logistics are being finalised. The last formal meeting between the two leaders took place in 2019 during a bilateral visit by Xi Jinping to India, before the border dispute interrupted further engagements. Since then, they have had only one brief, informal meeting on the sidelines of the 2023 Brics summit in South Africa.
The long-standing border dispute between India and China, which dates back to a war in 1962, escalated in 2020 with a deadly clash in the Ladakh region. The recent breakthrough in negotiations indicates progress towards resolving this contentious issue, with an agreement reached on patrolling arrangements along the Line of Actual Control.
The decision for Modi and Xi Jinping to meet in Russia, a country that both China and India have alliances with, holds significant importance. The Brics summit serves as a platform for over 20 emerging economies, providing Russian President Vladimir Putin with support during a time of Western sanctions related to the conflict in Ukraine.
During the summit, leaders from various countries participated in diplomatic discussions and cultural events, demonstrating a commitment to global stability and cooperation. Putin highlighted the strong relations between Russia and China as a stabilising factor in the international arena, while Modi expressed India’s willingness to assist in resolving conflicts, such as the situation in Ukraine.
The Brics summit also marks the expanded membership of the group, which now includes additional countries like Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. This expansion signals the growing influence of Brics as a political and economic counterbalance to the Western-led world order. Members such as China and Russia advocate for reduced reliance on the US dollar in trade and seek alternative payment systems to mitigate the impact of unilateral sanctions.
In summary, the upcoming Modi-Xi Jinping meeting at the Brics summit signifies a positive development in India-China relations, with a focus on resolving longstanding disputes and fostering multilateral cooperation. The event underscores the importance of diplomatic dialogue in addressing global challenges and promoting stability in the international community.