Kazan, Russia – Prime Minister Narendra Modi will meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday in Kazan, marking their first bilateral discussion in five years. This significant meeting comes during the 16th BRICS Summit and follows their last encounter in Mamallapuram, Tamil Nadu, in 2019.
Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra confirmed the meeting during a press briefing, stating, “I can confirm that there will be a bilateral meeting held between Prime Minister Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping tomorrow on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit.”
Focus on Border Agreements
The meeting occurs against the backdrop of a longstanding border standoff between India and China in the Eastern Ladakh region. Recent reports indicate that both nations have made progress towards resolving ongoing tensions, particularly regarding border patrolling and grazing activities.
Foreign Secretary Misri noted that India and China have reached an agreement aimed at preventing clashes similar to the deadly confrontation in Galwan in June 2020. He emphasized that the discussions would address “pending areas under discussion,” with an emphasis on restoring the status quo regarding patrolling and grazing as it was in 2020.
“Disengagement agreements reached previously were not reopened in these discussions. The focus was on outstanding issues from the last couple of years,” Misri added, hinting at a more stable future for border management.
Current Situation at the LAC
Sources suggest that the Indian Army has been granted permission to resume patrols in certain areas along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) that had been restricted since the onset of the standoff. The government hinted at a potential “patrolling arrangement” aimed at reducing friction between the two sides.
Both the Indian Army and the Chinese People’s Liberation Army are reportedly working towards disengaging from key confrontation points, including the Demchok area and the Depsang Plains.
Modi’s Visit to Kazan
Modi’s two-day visit to Kazan, located approximately 900 km east of Moscow, also includes engagements with other world leaders. Earlier, he held a bilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin and met with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on the summit’s sidelines.
As the BRICS Summit progresses, the upcoming Modi-Xi meeting is viewed as a crucial step towards enhancing bilateral ties and resolving lingering border disputes, reflecting a potential thaw in relations between the two neighboring powers.
