Modi and Xi Set for Historic Meeting at BRICS Summit as Positive Border Deal Emerges

Russia, Oct 23 (Alliance News): Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday during the BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia.

This meeting marks their first face-to-face interaction since 2020, following tensions that arose after clashes between their forces at the disputed frontier.

The announcement, made by India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, comes just as both leaders arrived in Kazan for the summit hosted by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

China and India have been longstanding rivals, frequently accusing each other of attempting to seize territory along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

Following a border skirmish in 2020 that resulted in the deaths of at least 20 Indian and four Chinese soldiers, both nations withdrew tens of thousands of troops and agreed to avoid patrolling a sensitive strip near the LAC.

However, the upcoming meeting coincides with a recent statement from China’s foreign ministry, which expressed “positive approval” for a border deal.

Spokesman Lin Jian stated, “Recently, China and India have maintained close communication through diplomatic and military channels on issues relating to the China-India border,” confirming that both sides have reached a resolution on relevant matters.

Lin indicated that further implementation of this resolution with India would occur in the next stage. Misri also noted that an agreement had been made regarding patrolling arrangements along the LAC, which would facilitate disengagement and address issues that emerged in 2020.

India’s External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar confirmed that disengagement with China was “complete” and that additional details would be shared in “due course.”

He emphasized that this understanding establishes a foundation for peace and stability along the border, reminiscent of the situation prior to 2020.

The disputes along the 3,500-kilometer frontier remain a critical source of tension between the two major economies vying for strategic influence in South Asia.