PM Modi and President Xi Jinping to Hold Bilateral Talks at BRICS Summit in Russia

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping are set to engage in bilateral discussions on Wednesday during the BRICS summit in Russia. This marks their first formal meeting since the border tensions in eastern Ladakh began in May 2020. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri confirmed this development following an agreement between India and China on military patrolling along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh, aiming to resolve the prolonged standoff.

The meeting will occur in Kazan, the designated venue for the BRICS summit. Modi and Xi have previously exchanged brief interactions, such as during a dinner hosted by the Indonesian President for G20 leaders in November 2022. They also had a short informal conversation at the BRICS summit in Johannesburg last August.

Focus on Disengagement

Misri highlighted that the immediate priority is disengagement, with de-escalation and troop withdrawal to be addressed later. The agreement stipulates that patrolling and grazing activities will revert to their pre-2020 status in areas under discussion. Previous disengagement agreements were not revisited; instead, the recent pact focused on unresolved issues from recent years.

The agreement reached on Monday is expected to facilitate patrolling in Depsang and Demchok. These areas have been challenging points in previous talks. Misri noted that implementing this agreement on the ground is crucial to preventing future clashes along the LAC.

Historical Context

Relations between India and China deteriorated significantly after a violent clash in the Galwan Valley in June 2020. This incident marked one of the most severe military confrontations between the two nations in decades. Despite some progress through military and diplomatic negotiations, challenges remain, particularly concerning Depsang and Demchok.

Misri described questions about analysing the overall situation as premature, emphasising that efforts must continue to ensure mechanisms are effective in preventing future conflicts. The recent agreement aims to address these concerns by establishing clear protocols for patrolling activities.

The upcoming meeting between Modi and Xi represents a significant step towards resolving ongoing tensions. Both leaders are expected to discuss various aspects of their bilateral relationship, focusing on maintaining peace along their shared border.