Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in New Delhi for the 18th BRICS Summit on Saturday, making his first visit to India in nearly seven years. His return sets up a closely watched meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Bharat Mandapam, as New Delhi and Beijing test whether recent diplomatic progress can produce a more stable relationship after years of border tensions.
China sends message ahead of Modi-Xi meeting
“China and India are arranging for the bilateral meeting between President Xi and Prime Minister Modi,” Xu wrote on X. Beijing said it wants to increase communication and cooperation with New Delhi while “properly handle differences”. Xu said China wants the two countries to “be friends enjoying good neighbourliness and partners helping each other succeed”.
Xi has left Beijing for New Delhi to attend the BRICS Summit at the invitation of PM Modi. His delegation includes Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning echoed Xu’s comments ahead of the Modi-Xi meeting.
Earlier reporting noted: PM Modi, Xi Jinping to meet in India after 7 years: Arunachal border, mega dam, bilateral ties on agenda Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Saturday, seven years after his last visit to India, with the talks expected to focus on consolidating efforts to normalise bilateral ties and long-running boundary dispute.
She said Beijing wants to approach its relationship with India from a long-term perspective. “China will work with India to act on the strategic guidance of the two leaders, handle 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,” Mao said. Earlier reporting noted: China signals push to reset ties as Xi Jinping visits India, vows to ‘properly handle differences’ China’s envoy has said that Beijing will work together with India and handle the differences between the two countries under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping. This will be the third year in a row for the two leaders to meet with each other, following their meetings in Kazan and Tianjin,” the ambassador said.
Earlier reporting noted: “China and India are arranging for the bilateral meeting between President Xi and Prime Minister Modi.
