BRICS 2017: Peace in border areas agreed, says MEA on Modi-Xi Jinping meet

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Xiamen on the sidelines of BRICS 2017. The meeting took place for the first time since the 73-day Doklam standoff between hundreds of troops ended last week.

The prime minister, accompanied by senior officials including National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar, met the Chinese leader just before his travel to Myanmar from this port city.

While briefing media, Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar said,''Discussions between Modi, Xi Jinping were constructive. Agreed at Astana that will not let differences become disputes, that was reaffirmed.''

''Peace and tranquility at the border areas is a prerequisite for fruitful relations between India and China,'' Jaishankar said.

''Both agreed that concrete steps should be taken to resolve recent issues,'' he said. The foreign secretary also said that differences are natural between neighbours and large powers and that there would be differences. With regard to defence, both sides must maintain strong contacts and cooperation, foreign secretary Jaishankar said.

On Monday, President Xi greeted PM Modi with a smile and a warm handshake.

Later that month, Indian Army stopped China from building a road in the remote, uninhabited territory of Doklam, claimed by both China and Bhutan, resulting in a stand-off near the Sikkim border that lasted over two months.

OneIndia News