Prime Minister Narendra Modi is poised to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping for a bilateral discussion in Kazan, Russia, on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit. This marks the first formal interaction between the two leaders in five years, reflecting recent efforts to de-escalate tensions along their shared border.
The meeting comes after India and China reached an agreement to resume regular patrolling along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh, a region that has seen increased friction since 2020.
The last time PM Modi and Xi met was in October 2019 during the Mahabalipuram Informal Summit in Tamil Nadu, just months before the violent clashes in Galwan that resulted in a military standoff. Since then, the leaders have engaged briefly during the G20 meetings in Bali in 2022 and Johannesburg, South Africa, in 2023.
On October 21, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced that an agreement had been reached regarding patrolling arrangements along the LAC. Misri stated that this resolution was the result of extensive discussions with Chinese counterparts at both diplomatic and military levels. He highlighted the involvement of military commanders in addressing the tensions that have persisted since the Galwan clashes.
Historic Modi-Xi Meeting
China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian also confirmed the resolution of the border conflict, stating, “We have reached a resolution on the relevant matter and will work with the Indian side to implement the solution. We are in close communication through diplomatic and military channels.”
The anticipated meeting between PM Modi and President Xi in Kazan is expected to be a significant moment for India-China relations. Discussions are likely to include the recent agreement on patrolling along the LAC, trade relations, and regional stability.
In previous meetings, such as the Mahabalipuram summit, PM Modi and Xi discussed international and regional issues, focusing on improving people-to-people contact and enhancing trade while maintaining peace along the extensive 3,500-kilometer India-China border. PM Modi also showcased several iconic monuments to Xi during this visit, which culminated in a lengthy one-on-one dinner discussion.
Kazan Summit
Both leaders met earlier in April 2018 during the Wuhan Informal Summit, which aimed to mend ties following the Doklam standoff in 2017. Discussions at that summit addressed the strategic long-term perspective of India-China relations. The leaders also interacted during the Bali G20 Summit, where they acknowledged the need to stabilize bilateral relations.
In 2023, PM Modi and Xi discussed unresolved issues along the LAC in Johannesburg, agreeing to direct their officials to intensify efforts for disengagement and de-escalation. Former Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra noted that PM Modi stressed the importance of maintaining peace along the border for normalizing ties between the two nations.
The ongoing border tensions between India and China escalated in 2020 following aggressive Chinese military actions in eastern Ladakh. Since then, the two nations have conducted numerous meetings to address the situation.
In September 2023, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in St. Petersburg, where they reviewed efforts to resolve remaining issues along the LAC, with both sides agreeing to expedite disengagement efforts.