PM Modi-Xi meeting: How the two leaders have managed to stay in touch despite serious border tensions

PM Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping held bilateral talks on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in Tatarstan's capital, Kazan. (Photo: ANI)

The meeting between PM Modi, Xi Jinping followed an agreement between the two countries to resume regular patrolling along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh. (Photo: PM Modi X handle)

Modi stressed that mutual trust, respect, and sensitivity should form the basis of India-China relations and global peace should be a priority. "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," said PM Modi. (Photo: PM Modi X handle)

Xi highlighted the importance of communication and cooperation to manage differences and promote global unity among developing countries. ""It's important for both sides to have more communication and cooperation, properly handle our differences and disagreements, and to facilitate each other's pursuit of development aspirations. It's also important for both sides to shoulder our international responsibility, set an example for boosting the strength and unity of developing countries and to contribute to promoting multi-polarization and democracy in international relations," Xi said. (Photo: Reuters)

This meeting on the Brics sidelines marked the first formal interaction between Modi and Xi in five years, following the 2020 Galwan clashes. (Photo: ANI)

Giving details about the meet, MEA spokesperson Vikram Misri said, "This meeting happened close on the heels of the disengagement and patrolling agreement and the resolution of issues that had arisen in the India-China border areas in 2020."

"The two leaders welcomed the agreement reached between the two sides through sustained dialogue over the last several weeks in diplomatic as well as military channels. PM Modi underscored the importance of not allowing differences on boundary-related matters to disturb peace and tranquillity on our borders. The two leaders noted that the special representatives on the India-China boundary question have a critical role to play in the resolution of the boundary question and for the maintenance of peace and tranquillity in the border areas," he added. (Photo: ANI)

PM Modi and Xi Jinping have met several times in the past including their first official meeting at the BRICS Summit in Fortaleza in 2014, where they discussed enhancing cooperation. Other meetings include Xi's state visit to India in 2014 and PM Modi's China visit in 2015, both focusing on trade and cultural ties while acknowledging border tensions. Subsequent meetings, such as the G20 Summit in Hangzhou (2016) and the BRICS Summit in Goa (2016), addressed terrorism and strategic interests. Their interactions during the Doklam standoff in 2017 were followed by efforts to stabilize ties, notably during the Wuhan Summit in 2018. The Mamallapuram Summit in 2019 addressed strategic issues, and they met again at the G20 Summit in Bali in 2022, marking their first interaction since the 2020 Galwan clash. (Photo: PTI)