Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled for a bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Kazan, Russia, during the upcoming BRICS Summit. The two leaders have not had an official meeting in five years. This interaction comes after India and China reached an agreement to resume regular patrolling along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh, signaling a step towards resolving long-standing tensions.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri confirmed the scheduled meeting, emphasizing its significance in addressing bilateral concerns between the two nations. Modi last met Xi in October 2019 before the Galwan Valley clash in June 2020, which led to increased military tensions along the LAC.
Both countries have made progress towards resolving these issues, with Chinese officials confirming a resolution on the border conflict and ongoing diplomatic and military dialogues. The meeting is expected to focus on the recent border agreement, as well as trade relations between India and China. India’s Foreign Secretary highlighted that discussions have involved military commanders and diplomats, aiming to address unresolved tensions from 2020.
Trade is also a key topic of concern, as India’s trade deficit with China remains substantial. Modi is likely to push for a reduction in Chinese tariffs on Indian exports, aiming to balance the $120 billion bilateral trade, where India exports $20 billion and imports $100 billion from China.
The leaders’ previous meetings, including the Mahabalipuram Summit in 2019 and informal talks in Wuhan in 2018, focused on stabilizing bilateral relations and addressing regional issues. The upcoming meeting in Kazan is seen as a crucial step toward restoring peace along the LAC and ensuring long-term stability in India-China relations. Both countries have expressed commitment to resolving the border dispute and rebuilding diplomatic ties through continued dialogue and collaboration.
