Jinping’s visit this time is significant, as it comes amid efforts by India and China to normalise relations after after years of tensions following the 2020 Eastern Ladakh standoff.
Modi- Jinping bilateral meet expected to strengthen relations: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping will hold a key meeting on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS summit in Delhi. The two leaders are expected to discuss issues such as the border, defense, security, trade, investment, visas, and flights.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said that this will be the third year in a row the two leaders meet, after their meetings in Kazan and Tianjin. ‘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,’ she said.
Jinping’s visit this time is significant, as it comes amid efforts by India and China to normalise relations after after years of tensions following the 2020 Eastern Ladakh standoff. On the sidelines of the BRICS Summit, President Jinping will have in-depth exchanges with other leaders on major issues, including the current international situation, the development of BRICS mechanisms and deepening practical cooperation, and put forward China’s important initiatives and propositions, charting the course for the high-quality development of greater BRICS cooperation, Mao Ning said.
The Chinese President last visited India in 2019 for an informal summit with PM Modi in Mamallapuram near Chennai. Prior to that, he had visited Goa in 2016 to attend the BRICS Summit and made his first visit to India in September 2014. PM Modi-Xi meeting is likely to discuss several key issues and these include strengthening military and diplomatic dialogue, giving Indian companies greater access to the Chinese market, and reducing India’s trade deficit.
Furthermore, discussions may also include increasing Indian exports, facilitating the supply of machinery and technology, establishing reliable regulations for Chinese investment, and simplifying visa, flight, and travel procedures between the two countries.
The BRICS summit will officially begin at 2:00 pm and first session of summit will begin at 2:30 pm. Before the BRICS meeting, a session of the BRICS Business Forum was held at Bharat Mandapam on Friday. Global leaders delivered important messages to the world.
