The prime minister Narendra Modi and the president of China Xi Jinping had a much-awaited bilateral meeting in New Delhi on Saturday as part of the BRICS summit.
The statement issued by India after this meeting makes it very clear that the prime minister raised issues which have become an important factor in affecting relations between the two nations, with peace and calmness on the border being the main focus.
India has always made it very clear from the highest level of the government that peace on the border is extremely important for the development of bilateral relations. The prime minister of India has also made it very clear that the issue of the rising trade deficit with China (higher imports but lower exports) was raised in the meeting. China has agreed to deal with this discrepancy.
It is the second meeting of these two leaders in a fortnight. Since assuming the post of the prime minister in May 2014, he has had the most number of meetings with Xi Jinping than with any other global leader, having almost two dozens of meetings till date.
In the last two years only, these two leaders have met four times personally. Only a few days back, they met in Bishkek. Both the sides have welcomed the steady improvement in their relations since then. It is the seven-year visit of Xi Jinping to India. He is accompanied by a large entourage, reflecting the government's seriousness.
This includes Cai Jie, a highly influential leader of the Communist Party of China (CPC), a member of the Standing Committee of the Politburo of the CPC Central Committee and Director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee. Cai Jie is also seen as a potential future President of China.
According to information provided by the Ministry of External Affairs, PM Modi said in the meeting that the two countries should view their relations from a strategic and long-term perspective. Differences should not become disputes. He advised working on three principles: mutual respect, mutual sensitivity, and mutual interest.
Modi clarified that peace and stability in the border areas are essential for the development of bilateral relations. Both sides should abide by existing border-related agreements and understandings. The leaders reiterated their commitment to finding a fair, reasonable, and mutually acceptable solution to the border dispute.
The need for increased cultural exchange, trade contacts, and mobility was highlighted. Emphasis was placed on resolving mutual concerns in economic relations, especially those related to trade imbalances, supply chains, and market access.
Modi raised the issue of trade imbalances and called for greater opening up of China's market. China has listened to India's concerns and assured them of addressing them. This meeting took place amid reports of tensions between the two countries in Arunachal Pradesh.
To resolve this issue, military commanders from both countries have held meetings for two consecutive days near the Arunachal border. However, there are some signs of improvement in relations. The meetings between Modi and Xi Jinping reflect efforts to improve dialogue relations at the level of special representatives to resolve the border dispute.
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