On the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping held a crucial bilateral meeting lasting around 50 minutes. Marking President Xi’s first visit to India in seven years, the discussions focused on restoring stability, trust, and cooperation through 7 core areas:

• Peace at the Border: PM Modi emphasized that maintaining peace and tranquility along the borders remains the essential foundation for improved bilateral relations.
• Managing Differences: Both leaders agreed that differences should not turn into disputes, adhering to mutual respect, sensitivity, and shared interests.
• Addressing Trade Deficit: Talks addressed the significant structural trade imbalance, focusing on reducing India’s trade deficit of over $100 billion.
• Supply Chain & Market Access: Discussions highlighted the need for reliable supply chains and predictable market access for Indian goods in China.
• People-to-People Contacts: Both sides agreed to ease travel, enhance business connectivity, and promote cultural exchanges.
• Long-Term Strategic View: President Xi noted that as major Global South nations, India and China should leverage each other’s strengths for long-term development.
• Normalizing Ties: The meeting represents a steady, phased step toward normalizing bilateral ties following the 2020 Galwan Valley clash.