Modi-Xi Meeting After 5 Years: What Message Emerged?

Five years later, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping have met face-to-face for their first bilateral meeting. This meeting took place on October 23 in Kazan, Russia, during a BRICS summit sideline, according to BBC news.

Since the deadly clash between the Indian and Chinese armies at the Ladakh border in June 2020, relations between the two countries had reached a low point. This is the first time the highest leaders of India and China have come together for talks.

According to the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, Modi emphasized that restoring peace along the border should be a priority. On the other hand, President Xi reminded that both China and India have "important responsibilities" in the international arena. The last time Modi and Xi met was in November 2019 in Brasília, also during a BRICS summit.

Significantly, this meeting occurred just 72 hours after a major diplomatic and military breakthrough in discussions between the two countries. The agreement reached stipulates that both sides will revert to pre-May 2020 patrol practices along the actual line of control (ALC).

Tensions have escalated since the violent clash in the Galwan Valley in June 2020, leading to bitterness in Delhi-Beijing relations. Both countries subsequently deployed thousands of additional troops along the border, and although diplomatic and military discussions for de-escalation have taken place, real progress was achieved only four days ago.

The agreement on the meeting between the two leaders is seen by observers as a significant improvement in relations between Delhi and Beijing.

During the discussions, Modi remarked on the importance of the bilateral meeting after five years, stating that the India-China relationship is crucial not only for the people of both countries but also for global peace, stability, and progress. He welcomed the consensus reached on border issues, emphasizing the need for peace and stability.

Modi further stated that the foundation of their relationship should be mutual trust, respect, and sensitivity.

President Xi, at the outset, expressed his pleasure in meeting Modi in Kazan after five years, noting that the international community is watching this meeting closely. He highlighted that both countries are ancient civilizations and major developing nations, undergoing a crucial phase of modernization.

Xi emphasized the importance of maintaining the right direction in their historical relationship, which would best serve the fundamental interests of both nations and their peoples. He also stressed the need for enhanced communication and cooperation to address differences and support each other's development aspirations.

Xi concluded by underlining the necessity for both India and China to fulfill their international responsibilities and to set an example for developing countries while contributing to multilateralism and the expansion of democracy in international relations.