Xi and Modi agree at Brics to prioritise de-escalation efforts at the Himalayan border
Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, speaking on the sidelines at the Brics summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, agreed on Thursday to seek a speedy resolution to a three-year stand-off along the Himalayan border area between the two countries.
Indian Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra told a news briefing on Thursday that Modi had spoken to Xi and highlighted India’s concerns about the unresolved issues along the “Line of Actual Control” (LAC) – the effective Sino-India border.
“The prime minister underlined that the maintenance of peace and tranquillity in the border areas and observing and respecting the LAC are essential for the normalisation of the India-China relationship,” Kwatra said.
The two leaders, he continued, had “agreed to direct the relevant officials to intensify efforts at expeditious disengagement and de-escalation”.
Kwatra also described Modi’s visit to Johannesburg as “very fruitful and productive”.
The Chinese side did not immediately issue a statement on the Xi-Modi talks.
India and China have continued to deploy a significant number of troops and advanced weaponry since a 2020 clash in the Galwan Valley along the LAC killed at least 20 Indian and four Chinese soldiers. It was the deadliest border encounter between the two countries in decades.
This month, a 19th round of military-level talks failed to yield any breakthrough on the border deadlock, though both sides agreed to keep talking.
A joint statement released after the Modi-Xi meeting described the discussion as “positive, constructive and in-depth”.
The statement added that India and China had “agreed to maintain the momentum of dialogue and negotiations through military and diplomatic channels”.
02:07
China reveals details of 2020 border clash with Indian troops after both sides complete pullback
China reveals details of 2020 border clash with Indian troops after both sides complete pullback
Since the fatal skirmishes of 2020, Modi and Xi have largely avoided direct contact, but the two exchanged pleasantries on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Bali in November 2022.
The Indian foreign ministry disclosed earlier this month that the two leaders had also discussed the need to “stabilise” bilateral ties.
Xi is also expected to visit New Delhi for the September 9-10 Group of 20 summit sessions. A bilateral meeting has not been ruled out.
