Ahead of Modi-Xi meeting, Beijing says 'India and China should handle differences properly'

China on Friday called on India and China to approach bilateral relations from a “strategic height and long-term perspective” and properly manage their differences, setting the tone for President Xi Jinping’s visit to New Delhi for the BRICS Summit and his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Xi is scheduled to arrive in the Capital on Saturday for the two-day summit, marking his first visit to India in nearly seven years. He is also expected to hold bilateral talks with Modi on the sidelines of the gathering, with the meeting likely to be closely watched for signs of further progress in stabilising ties after years of tensions following the 2020 military standoff in eastern Ladakh.

Beijing signals cooperation

Responding to a question on the Modi-Xi meeting, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said Friday that the two leaders would be meeting for the third consecutive year after their interactions in Kazan and Tianjin. She said Beijing was prepared to work with New Delhi under the strategic guidance of the two leaders to strengthen communication and cooperation while managing outstanding differences.

“China will work with India to act on the strategic guidance of the two leaders, handle the bilateral relations from a strategic height and long-term perspective, step up communication, enhance cooperation, properly handle differences, and be friends enjoying good-neighbourliness and partners helping each other succeed,” Mao said.

The remarks come amid a gradual thaw in bilateral ties following sustained diplomatic and military engagement between the two countries. National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks in Beijing last month, focusing on the boundary question, maintaining peace and tranquillity along the frontier and measures to improve the wider relationship.

At the 25th round of Special Representatives’ talks on August 25, the two sides reached an eight-point consensus and agreed to advance discussions towards an “Early and Substantial Harvest” in boundary delimitation and border management.

BRICS meets amid global conflicts

The 18th BRICS Summit, being hosted by India on September 12 and 13, comes against the backdrop of continuing international instability, including the Iran-US conflict and the Russia-Ukraine war. Mao described BRICS as an important platform for cooperation and solidarity among emerging markets and developing economies.

She said Xi would address the summit and exchange views with other leaders on the international situation, development of BRICS mechanisms and ways to deepen practical cooperation. Beijing, she added, would put forward initiatives aimed at strengthening cooperation within the expanded grouping.

On the conflicts confronting the international community, Mao said China supported a “common, comprehensive, cooperative, and sustainable” approach to security and favoured political settlements through dialogue and negotiation. She said Beijing expected to work with other BRICS members to promote negotiations, resolve differences and safeguard regional and global stability.

Spotlight on Modi-Xi talks

Xi’s visit carries particular diplomatic significance because it comes as New Delhi and Beijing attempt to rebuild a relationship severely strained by the Ladakh confrontation. The expected Modi-Xi meeting could provide indications of whether recent progress on border management can translate into broader improvement in political, economic and diplomatic ties.

Xi last travelled to India in October 2019 for the second informal summit with Modi in Mamallapuram, Tamil Nadu. He had visited Goa for the BRICS Summit in 2016 and made his first visit to India as Chinese President in September 2014.

India assumed the BRICS chairship for the fourth time on January 1, having previously chaired the grouping in 2012, 2016 and 2021. The 2026 summit also coincides with 20 years since the establishment of BRICS.

The grouping, which began with Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, has expanded substantially in recent years, bringing in Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Indonesia. Several other countries, including Belarus, Bolivia, Kazakhstan, Cuba, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Uganda, Uzbekistan and Vietnam, have joined as partner countries.

With leaders gathering in New Delhi at a time of geopolitical uncertainty, the Modi-Xi engagement is expected to be among the summit’s most consequential bilateral meetings, particularly as the two Asian powers test whether the recent easing of tensions can develop into a more durable reset.