In a highly anticipated diplomatic engagement, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping today on the sidelines of the BRICS summit, marking their first bilateral meeting since the 2020 Galwan Valley clash. The meeting, which Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri confirmed yesterday, will take place in the city of Kazan, Russia, where both leaders have arrived to participate in the summit.
"I can confirm that there will be a bilateral meeting held between Prime Minister Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping tomorrow on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit," Mr. Misri said, highlighting the significance of this interaction amid ongoing efforts to ease tensions along the India-China border.
This meeting is particularly significant as it is the first direct bilateral engagement between the two leaders since the 2020 Galwan clash. The violent confrontation between Indian and Chinese troops in June 2020 led to casualties on both sides and sparked a prolonged standoff along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Diplomatic and military tensions between the two countries have since remained elevated.
Since the clash, India and China have held numerous rounds of military and diplomatic talks, leading to disengagement at several friction points along the border. However, today’s meeting signals a further thaw in relations, especially in light of the recent breakthrough agreement on patrolling arrangements along the LAC.
As per the deal reached this week, both sides have agreed to allow troops to patrol the LAC as they did prior to the 2020 standoff. This marks a significant step toward stabilizing the border region and reducing the risk of further confrontations. Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar, speaking at the NDTV World Summit, noted that the immediate focus is on disengagement, with de-escalation and troop withdrawal to be addressed in due course.
Aside from this key bilateral, Prime Minister Modi has been actively engaging with other world leaders at the BRICS summit. Yesterday, he met with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, emphasizing the need for peace and stability in West Asia amid ongoing regional conflicts. Modi also held bilateral talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, where the two leaders discussed the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, with PM Modi reiterating India’s call for a peaceful resolution.
This year’s BRICS summit, which brings together the leaders of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, is being closely watched as the group discusses crucial issues of global economic governance, security, and development. The Modi-Xi meeting, in particular, is expected to dominate headlines, given the geopolitical complexities surrounding India-China relations.
While the upcoming meeting between PM Modi and President Xi represents a significant diplomatic moment, it also carries the weight of expectations for progress in rebuilding trust between the two Asian powers. With tensions still simmering along parts of the border and unresolved territorial disputes, today's bilateral discussion could set the tone for future engagement.
As the two leaders sit down for their first formal talks since the 2020 clash, the world will be watching closely to see whether this meeting can help pave the way toward a more stable and cooperative India-China relationship.
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