On Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi engaged in a conversation with Chinese President Xi Jinping, addressing India’s concerns about unresolved matters along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), as communicated by Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra during a briefing. The Prime Minister emphasized that upholding peace, tranquility in border regions, and respecting the LAC are pivotal for the normalization of India-China relations. Kwatra further noted that both leaders concurred to instruct relevant officials to enhance efforts for swift disengagement and de-escalation.
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Modi and President Xi exchanged greetings and handshakes prior to the BRICS leaders’ briefing. The two leaders briefly interacted on the stage. This marked their first interaction since their meeting at a G20 dinner in Bali the previous November. During that encounter, they exchanged a handshake, accompanied by a smile from Jinping. At that time, they conversed for a few minutes. This gathering marked the initial meeting between Modi and Xi Jinping following the 2020 clash between Indian and Chinese forces in the Galwan Valley. Subsequently, relations between the two nations have been strained, resulting from the standoff. Both countries have engaged in discussions at the military level to address border-related issues. Recently, the 19th round of corps commander level talks took place.
According to a statement by the Ministry of External Affairs, the two leaders reached an agreement to expedite the resolution of remaining issues while sustaining the momentum of dialogues and negotiations through military and diplomatic channels. In the interim, they have mutually committed to upholding peace and tranquility in the border regions. It’s important to note that the border dispute between India and China has persisted for several decades, even including a war fought between the two nations in 1962.
