Follow border agreements, don't let differences turn into conflict: Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has stressed the need to implement the existing agreements and consensus on border issues between India and China, saying that differences should not turn into conflict. Mr Modi, in a nearly 50-minute long bilateral conversation with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the BRICS summit here on Saturday, stressed that peace and stability in the border areas is an essential basis for bilateral relations. Welcomed the continuous progress in India-China bilateral relations after the previous bilateral talks held in Tianjin. He reiterated that the two countries should look at their relations from a strategic and long-term perspective and differences should not turn into conflict. The Prime Minister said that both sides should be guided by 3 things, which include mutual respect, mutual sensitivity and mutual interest.
The Prime Minister asserted that peace and stability in the border areas is a necessary foundation for the continuous development of bilateral relations. He stressed the need for both sides to abide by existing agreements and consensus on border issues.
The two leaders expressed their commitment to a fair, appropriate and mutually acceptable solution to the border dispute, taking into account the political perspective of broader bilateral relations and the long-term interests of the people of both countries. They also discussed the progress in people-to-people relations and emphasized the need to promote cultural exchanges, business relations and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries. On economic and trade relations, he said the need to address each other's concerns. These include structural imbalances in trade and supply chain issues. He also stressed the need to facilitate meaningful and predetermined market access.
The two leaders agreed that common ground on regional and global issues should be continuously broadened and work together to address challenges. The Prime Minister appreciated China's support for India's BRICS chairmanship and its contribution to the success of the 2026 BRICS summit. This is the third consecutive bilateral meeting between Mr. Modi and Mr. Xi in 3 years. The previous 2 bilateral talks were held in Kazan and Tianjin respectively.
This is Mr Xi's first visit to India since the violent clash between the troops of the two countries in the Galwan Valley in 2020. Earlier he came to India in 2019. 20 Indian soldiers were martyred in this clash. A large number of Chinese soldiers were also killed and injured. After that there was tension in the relations between the two countries. Since the bilateral meeting in Kazan in 2024, several steps are being taken by the two countries to normalize relations.