Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping are set to hold a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia, on Wednesday. This marks their first meeting since India and China reached a key agreement on patrolling along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh, signaling progress in resolving the prolonged military standoff that has persisted for over four years.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri confirmed the meeting, highlighting that recent discussions have led to a consensus on patrolling arrangements along the contentious border. This development paves the way for dis-engagement and aims to address issues that have arisen since the 2020 clashes in the Galwan Valley, which resulted in significant tensions between the two nations.
Misri explained that discussions with Chinese officials through the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC) and military commanders have been ongoing, resulting in a resolution of various standoffs along the border. He noted that this recent agreement is a significant step toward restoring the situation to its pre-May 2020 state.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar also reiterated the importance of this agreement, emphasizing its potential to improve relations between the two nations.
PM Modi arrived in Russia on Tuesday, where he also held bilateral meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. The BRICS Summit provides a crucial platform for these diplomatic discussions among member states.
This meeting is a critical step towards stabilizing ties between the two Asian powers, which have seen significant strains in recent years.
