Mahesh Kumar
After a five-year pause marked by clashes and the loss of lives between Indian and Chinese soldiers in the Himalayan region, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping met at Kazan on Wednesday (October 23) and agreed to resume Special Representative talks, aiming to resolve the military stand-off in eastern Ladakh and normalize relations. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in Russia.
The last time Modi and Xi Jinping met in either of their countries was in October 2019, during the second India-China Informal Summit, held against the historic backdrop of the rock-cut temples of Mamallapuram, Tamil Nadu.
On Wednesday, in his opening remarks, Modi emphasized the importance of peace along the border and the need for mutual trust and respect as the foundation for India-China relations. He expressed confidence in holding constructive discussions, highlighting the significance of restoring tranquillity along the border.
“Maintaining peace and tranquillity over the border should remain our priority, and mutual trust, mutual respect and mutual sensitivity should remain the basis of our relationship. I am confident that we will hold talks with an open heart and our discussions would be constructive," PM Modi said.
President Xi also acknowledged the gap since their last meeting and stressed the importance of enhancing communication, managing disagreements, and promoting cooperation to meet the development goals of both nations.
He further stressed their responsibility to contribute to global multipolarity and foster unity among developing nations.
“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 multipolarisation and democracy in international relations,” Xi said.
India had earlier announced a patrolling agreement addressing the final two friction points in eastern Ladakh, while China lauded recent progress achieved through diplomatic and military channels. Both leaders agreed to reconvene Special Representatives on the boundary issue, aiming to manage peace and explore a fair and mutually acceptable resolution.
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) described this as a step towards stabilizing and rebuilding bilateral relations, with long-term goals of enhancing cooperation and creating a multipolar Asia and world.
However, China’s official statement diverged from India’s. While India’s press release mentioned an “agreement” on disengagement and resolution of issues dating back to 2020, China’s readout avoided the term “agreement,” merely acknowledging progress on resolving relevant border issues.
China also highlighted the need to use the Special Representatives mechanism effectively and ensure the relationship returns to steady development. Unlike India’s emphasis on a multipolar Asia, China's statement focused solely on global multipolarity and communication in multilateral fora.
Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri stated that the path to restoring normal relations had begun with the agreement on disengagement, but emphasized the need for both sides to continue building trust.
“This meeting happened, as you are all aware, 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. Naturally, 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,” Misri said.
Despite speculation about a thaw in relations before the G-20 summit, the Chinese president skipped the event in New Delhi. Still, developments over recent months, such as India's relaxation of visa approvals for Chinese professionals and China sending its new ambassador to India, indicated a slow shift toward improving ties.
Economic factors also weigh heavily on the potential for normalized relations. While political relations have been strained, trade between India and China continues to thrive, largely driven by private business interests. The Indian corporate sector, eager for improved ties, signalled interest in reviving investment from Chinese firms.
The Economic Survey of India for 2023-24 suggested that Chinese investment could boost India’s exports, posing questions about the balance between economic dependence on Chinese goods and the need for foreign investment.
In July 2024, Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met Chinese counterpart Wang Yi at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit, followed by several rounds of border discussions and consultations. Chinese officials have since noted the improvement in relations, marking a "crucial stage" in India-China ties, with hopes of a gradual but steady normalization in the future.
The last time Modi and Xi Jinping met in either of their countries was in October 2019, during the second India-China Informal Summit, held against the historic backdrop of the rock-cut temples of Mamallapuram, Tamil Nadu.
On Wednesday, in his opening remarks, Modi emphasized the importance of peace along the border and the need for mutual trust and respect as the foundation for India-China relations. He expressed confidence in holding constructive discussions, highlighting the significance of restoring tranquillity along the border.
“Maintaining peace and tranquillity over the border should remain our priority, and mutual trust, mutual respect and mutual sensitivity should remain the basis of our relationship. I am confident that we will hold talks with an open heart and our discussions would be constructive," PM Modi said.
President Xi also acknowledged the gap since their last meeting and stressed the importance of enhancing communication, managing disagreements, and promoting cooperation to meet the development goals of both nations.
He further stressed their responsibility to contribute to global multipolarity and foster unity among developing nations.
“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 multipolarisation and democracy in international relations,” Xi said.
Met President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Kazan BRICS Summit.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 23, 2024
India-China relations are important for the people of our countries, and for regional and global peace and stability.
Mutual trust, mutual respect and mutual sensitivity will guide bilateral relations. pic.twitter.com/tXfudhAU4b
India had earlier announced a patrolling agreement addressing the final two friction points in eastern Ladakh, while China lauded recent progress achieved through diplomatic and military channels. Both leaders agreed to reconvene Special Representatives on the boundary issue, aiming to manage peace and explore a fair and mutually acceptable resolution.
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) described this as a step towards stabilizing and rebuilding bilateral relations, with long-term goals of enhancing cooperation and creating a multipolar Asia and world.
However, China’s official statement diverged from India’s. While India’s press release mentioned an “agreement” on disengagement and resolution of issues dating back to 2020, China’s readout avoided the term “agreement,” merely acknowledging progress on resolving relevant border issues.
China also highlighted the need to use the Special Representatives mechanism effectively and ensure the relationship returns to steady development. Unlike India’s emphasis on a multipolar Asia, China's statement focused solely on global multipolarity and communication in multilateral fora.
Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri stated that the path to restoring normal relations had begun with the agreement on disengagement, but emphasized the need for both sides to continue building trust.
“This meeting happened, as you are all aware, 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. Naturally, 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,” Misri said.
Despite speculation about a thaw in relations before the G-20 summit, the Chinese president skipped the event in New Delhi. Still, developments over recent months, such as India's relaxation of visa approvals for Chinese professionals and China sending its new ambassador to India, indicated a slow shift toward improving ties.
Economic factors also weigh heavily on the potential for normalized relations. While political relations have been strained, trade between India and China continues to thrive, largely driven by private business interests. The Indian corporate sector, eager for improved ties, signalled interest in reviving investment from Chinese firms.
The Economic Survey of India for 2023-24 suggested that Chinese investment could boost India’s exports, posing questions about the balance between economic dependence on Chinese goods and the need for foreign investment.
In July 2024, Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met Chinese counterpart Wang Yi at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit, followed by several rounds of border discussions and consultations. Chinese officials have since noted the improvement in relations, marking a "crucial stage" in India-China ties, with hopes of a gradual but steady normalization in the future.
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