China has signalled a push to improve ties with India ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on Saturday.
Chinese ambassador Xu Feihong said Beijing is ready to work with New Delhi to strengthen communication, expand cooperation and properly manage differences between the two countries.
China Confirms Modi-Xi Bilateral Meeting
In a post on X ahead of Xi’s India visit, Xu confirmed that the two sides were arranging a bilateral meeting between the Chinese president and Prime Minister Modi.
The envoy said the meeting would mark the third consecutive year in which the two leaders have met, following their meetings in Kazan and Tianjin.
Xu said China would work with India under the strategic guidance of the two leaders and take a long-term view of bilateral relations.
“China will work with India to act on the strategic guidance of the two leaders, handle the bilateral relations from a strategic height and long-term perspective, step up communication, enhance cooperation, properly handle differences, and be friends enjoying good-neighbourliness and partners helping each other succeed,” he said.
Border Issue, Trade Concerns on Agenda
Xi’s visit comes nearly seven years after his previous visit to India and amid efforts by New Delhi and Beijing to stabilise relations following the prolonged military standoff in eastern Ladakh.
The Modi-Xi talks are expected to focus on the progress made towards normalising bilateral ties and the next steps on the long-running boundary dispute.
India has also raised concerns over restrictions affecting Indian businesspeople and Chinese curbs on exports of key technologies and equipment. Beijing, meanwhile, has maintained that the boundary issue should be kept separate from the broader development of bilateral relations.
New Delhi has consistently maintained that peace and tranquillity along the border are essential for the overall development of India-China relations.
Brahmaputra Dam Also a Concern
Another major issue for India is China’s planned mega dam project on the upper reaches of the Brahmaputra River on the Tibetan plateau.
India has sought greater transparency and information-sharing from Beijing over the project amid concerns about its potential implications for downstream countries.
The talks are also taking place against the backdrop of reports of fresh tensions between Indian and Chinese troops in Taksing in Arunachal Pradesh.
Xi’s participation in the BRICS Summit and his expected meeting with Modi are therefore being closely watched for signs of further progress in stabilising India-China relations.
