Key facts
- China and India are arranging a bilateral meeting between President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
- Chinese President Xi Jinping will attend the BRICS summit in India this weekend.
- China's foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stated China is willing to enhance communication and cooperation with India.
- The relationship between China and India has been strained since a 2020 border clash that killed at least twenty-four soldiers.
- Xi's visit to India is part of three-plus months of intense Indian foreign policy activity.
- The meeting could mark a turning point for the two Asian giants amid rising U.S.-India tensions.
China and India are arranging a bilateral meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, China's foreign ministry said on Friday. Xi is set to travel to India this weekend to attend a BRICS summit.
Mao Ning, a spokesperson for China's foreign ministry, stated that China is willing to approach bilateral ties "from a strategic and long-term perspective," enhance communication and cooperation, and properly manage differences. Xi will attend the BRICS summit, address the event, and engage in in-depth exchanges with leaders on the current international situation.
The relationship between the two Asian giants has been strained in recent years, particularly following a clash along their disputed Himalayan border in 2020 that resulted in at least twenty-four soldiers' deaths. Despite these tensions, the upcoming meeting is being closely watched, with some experts suggesting it could mark a significant turning point, especially given rising tensions between the United States and India over new U.S. tariffs on Indian goods. This geopolitical backdrop may lead India to further hedge its relations on the world stage.
Previous discussions between Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Indian officials, including External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, have focused on border issues and steps to restart conversations. These include identifying areas along the undemarcated border for potential "early harvest" resolutions, while leaving more contentious areas for later. Trade and economic relations are also expected to be a significant topic of discussion, as China remains a major trade partner for India.