China has expressed approval of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s comments on India’s independent foreign policy following his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping during the BRICS Summit in New Delhi. According to a statement from Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun, Beijing appreciates Modi’s assertion that India’s relationship with China will remain uninfluenced by third-party nations. This key understanding from their discussions highlights the importance of China and India remaining partners, dedicated to supporting each other’s growth.
President Xi emphasized that despite the differing national circumstances of China and India, cooperation should be the central focus. He advocated for managing differences through mutual respect and understanding, which both nations view as essential. Meanwhile, India underscored the necessity of peace and stability along their shared border, seeing it as crucial to enhancing bilateral relations. Modi highlighted the importance of adhering to existing agreements and understandings regarding border issues, underlining this as an essential factor for progress.
Both leaders reiterated their commitment to seeking a fair and mutually agreeable resolution to the longstanding boundary dispute. They stressed that while differences exist, they should not be permitted to escalate into disputes, maintaining a focus on diplomatic engagement to bridge gaps.
This meeting takes place against a backdrop of years of tensions along the Line of Actual Control. In an effort to ease military standoffs, India and China reached an agreement in October 2024 to disengage their troops from several friction points in the Ladakh sector. This move marked a significant step towards reducing prolonged military confrontations and fostering a more stable relationship.