Modi, Xi call for strategic approach as India-China ties enter cautious thaw

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday agreed that differences between India and China must not be allowed to develop into disputes, as the two leaders held their first bilateral meeting on Indian soil in nearly seven years.

The meeting took place on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in New Delhi and came as both countries seek to consolidate a gradual improvement in relations following years of tension along their disputed border.

Modi and Xi reviewed the progress made in stabilising bilateral ties since their previous meeting in Tianjin in August 2025. The discussions were held against the backdrop of continuing efforts by New Delhi and Beijing to rebuild trust after the military confrontation in eastern Ladakh that followed the Galwan Valley clash in June 2020.

The Ministry of External Affairs said the leaders agreed that India-China relations should be viewed from a "strategic and long term perspective". They also stressed the need to expand areas of cooperation while handling differences through dialogue.

"Differences should not become disputes," the MEA said.

Modi underlined three principles that he said should guide the relationship: "mutual respect, mutual sensitivity and mutual interest".

Border stability remains central to relationship

The boundary question remained one of the key issues discussed during the meeting, with Modi stressing that peace and tranquillity along the frontier were essential for the continued development of bilateral ties.

The Prime Minister called on both sides to abide by existing agreements and understandings concerning the border. India and China also reaffirmed their commitment to finding a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable settlement to the boundary question.

According to the MEA, Modi and Xi viewed the boundary issue within the wider political relationship between the two countries and in the context of the long-term interests of their peoples.

The discussions come more than six years after the Galwan Valley clash, which sharply damaged relations between New Delhi and Beijing and resulted in a prolonged military standoff along the Line of Actual Control.

Xi's visit is his first to India since October 2019, when he met Modi for an informal summit in Mamallapuram near Chennai. The relationship deteriorated significantly in the months that followed, eventually entering its most serious crisis in decades.

India and China have since taken steps towards reducing tensions, including the 2024 disengagement process. Bilateral ties have gradually moved towards cautious stabilisation, although unresolved territorial, strategic and economic differences continue to pose challenges.

Trade imbalance and market access feature in talks

Economic relations were another important part of the Modi-Xi discussions, with both leaders acknowledging the need to address concerns relating to trade and investment.

The two sides discussed the structural imbalance in bilateral trade as well as supply-chain issues. They also stressed the importance of meaningful and predictable market access.

People-to-people ties featured in the talks as well. Modi and Xi took note of progress in bilateral exchanges and called for greater cultural interaction and mobility between citizens of the two countries.

The economic relationship has expanded despite political tensions, but India continues to face a substantial trade deficit with China. Recent reporting has also highlighted the resumption of flights and improvements in business visa processes as part of the broader thaw.

Xi seeks closer India-China cooperation within BRICS

Xi also called on India and China to strengthen cooperation within BRICS, urging the two countries to draw on each other's strengths, pursue shared development and expand areas of common ground.

The Chinese President stressed Beijing's commitment to approaching ties with New Delhi from a strategic and long-term perspective. He said the two countries should pursue "high-quality cooperation" and work together to address common challenges.

Xi further emphasised cooperation between India and China on regional and global issues, with both sides agreeing to continue expanding their common ground.

Modi thanked China for its support for India's BRICS chairship and appreciated Beijing's contribution to the success of the 2026 BRICS Summit.

The meeting comes as BRICS itself seeks to strengthen cooperation among its expanded membership while navigating differences between major members. At the New Delhi summit, the grouping also focused on trade, supply-chain resilience and greater cooperation among Global South countries.

Despite the latest diplomatic engagement, significant challenges remain. The unresolved boundary question, economic rivalry, trade imbalances and differing strategic interests continue to weigh on the relationship. The Modi-Xi meeting nevertheless represents another step in the cautious effort by the two Asian powers to stabilise ties after the crisis triggered by the 2020 Galwan clash.