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Kazan (Russia): The bilateral talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday on the sidelines of the 16th BRICS summit have largely melted the ice of India-China relations that has been frozen for nearly 4 years. During this, the way has also opened for resolving the LAC dispute that has been going on between the two countries since the Galwan Valley violence in June 2020. PM Modi and Xi Jinping on Wednesday supported the India-China agreement on patrolling and withdrawal of troops on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh. Both the leaders issued instructions to restore various bilateral dialogue mechanisms in this regard, indicating efforts to normalize relations affected by the 2020 military clash.
Let us tell you that the PM Modi-Jinping talks on the sidelines of the BRICS summit lasted for about 50 minutes. In the meeting, PM Modi underlined the importance of resolving differences and disputes in a proper manner and not allowing peace and stability to be disrupted in the border areas. He said that mutual trust, mutual respect and mutual sensitivity should remain the basis of relations. Modi and Xi, in their first bilateral meeting in nearly five years, also directed the early resumption of the stalled special representatives’ talks on the border issue. He said that it can play an important role in maintaining peace and stability on the border. This was the first meeting at the top level between the two countries after the East Ladakh border dispute arose in 2020.
India-China relations important for global peace and stability: PM Modi
According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the two leaders emphasized the need to advance bilateral relations from a strategic and long-term perspective, enhance strategic dialogue and explore the possibility of cooperation to deal with developmental challenges. After the talks, Modi said in a post on ‘X’, “India-China relations are important for the people of both countries and for regional and global peace and stability.” He said, “Mutual trust, respect and sensitivity will guide bilateral relations.” Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said in a press conference that both the leaders mentioned that special representatives will have to play an important role in resolving the India-China border dispute issue and maintaining peace and stability in the border areas. Modi and Xi directed the special representatives to meet soon and continue their efforts.
India-China dispute in eastern Ladakh likely to be resolved
Misri said, “We are expecting the next meeting of special representatives to take place at an appropriate time.” Referring to New Delhi’s stand on the East Ladakh dispute, Misri said that restoration of peace and stability in the border areas will create scope for the two sides to return to the path of normalizing bilateral relations. He said, “As you all know, this meeting has taken place soon after the agreement on withdrawal of troops and patrolling and efforts to resolve the issues that arose in the India-China border areas in 2020.” He said, “Naturally, both the leaders welcomed the agreement reached between the two sides through continuous talks through diplomatic and military means for the last several weeks.” The Foreign Secretary said that Modi and Xi reviewed bilateral relations from a strategic and long-term perspective and believe that a stable relationship between the two countries will have a positive impact on regional and global peace and prosperity. Mistry said that both Modi and Xi emphasized that with maturity and understanding and by respecting each other, there can be peaceful and stable relations between India and China.
Bilateral dialogue between India and China will move forward
Mistry said that the officials will now take the next steps to discuss enhancing strategic dialogue and stabilizing bilateral relations using the official dialogue mechanism. After the fierce clash in the Galwan Valley in June 2020, relations between the two Asian countries became tense. On Monday, India and China reached an agreement to resume patrolling and disengage troops along the LAC (Line of Actual Control) in eastern Ladakh, a major breakthrough towards ending the standoff that has been going on for over four years. At the meeting, in his opening speech, Modi said that India-China relations are very important not only for the people of the two countries but also for global peace, stability and progress. He said, “We welcome the consensus reached on the issues that have arisen in the last four years on the border. Maintaining peace and stability on the border should remain our priority.
Other countries eyeing the agreements of both countries
PM Modi said that I am sure that we will talk with an open mind and our discussions will be constructive. On his part, Xi said that the people of both countries and the international community are closely watching this meeting. He said, “It is important for both sides to have more dialogue and cooperation, properly deal with their differences and disagreements, and help meet each other’s development aspirations.” Responding to a question whether the agreement on patrolling and withdrawal of troops would include the issues of Depsang and Demchok, Misri indicated that these two places of conflict are part of the agreement. He said, “From the statements I have made in the last 48 to 72 hours, I think the answer has been very clear.” Misri also explained in detail the dialogue mechanism of special representatives. He said, “Both the leaders noted that the Special Representatives on the India-China border issue have an important role to play in resolving the border issue and maintaining peace and stability in the border areas.”
Ajit Doval and Wang Yi will lead the next meetings
India’s Special Representative to continue the talks between India and China is National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval, while the Chinese side is led by Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Misri said, “No talks have been held in the format of Special Representatives since December 2019. Therefore, after today’s meeting, we hope to schedule the next round of Special Representatives talks at an appropriate date.” The Ministry of External Affairs issued a statement on the Modi-Xi talks. The statement said, “Welcoming the recent agreement for the complete resolution of issues that arose in 2020 in the India-China border areas and the complete withdrawal of troops, Prime Minister Modi underlined the importance of appropriately dealing with differences and disputes and not allowing them to disturb peace and stability.”
