Modi-Xi Meet, Try To Thaw Relations

KAZAN (ANI) – Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of BRICS Summit here and welcomed the agreement reached between the two countries earlier this week on patrolling arrangements along Line of Actual Control in eastern Ladakh.

The two leaders shook hands against a backdrop featuring their national flags, and both stressed the importance of handling their disputes. This was in stark contrast to Modi going in for the bear hug of all leaders.

This was the first structured interaction between the two leaders in five years and followed the two countries reaching an agreement on resuming regular patrolling along the Line of Actual Controlin eastern Ladakh.

The border standoff between India and China began in eastern Ladakh along the LAC in 2020, sparked by Chinese military action.

Xi, whose country’s economy is facing turbulence said the two countries “should carefully handle differences and disagreements and facilitate each other’s pursuit of development aspirations.”

Modi said, “We are having a formal meeting after five years. We believe that the India-China relationship is very important not only for our people but also for global peace, stability and progress. We welcome the consensus reached on the issues that have arisen in the last four years on the border. Maintaining peace and stability on the border should remain our priority. Mutual trust, mutual respect and mutual sensitivity should remain the basis of our relations.”