Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese leader Xi Jinping convened face-to-face to address the de-escalation of tensions along their contested border. It is a crucial encounter as the two countries have not engaged in face-to-face discussions since a lethal confrontation three years back. They reached a consensus to exert significant efforts in order to pacify the situation.
Modi and Xi have arrived in Johannesburg to attend a BRICS gathering.They talked on the side of the summit. On Thursday, India’s Foreign Secretary, Vinay Kwatra, informed reporters of this statement.The day before, the Chinese leader missed an important event. It is unusual for the leaders of India and China, both of which have the highest populations globally, to have personal meetings.
The argument over the border has caused tension between New Delhi and Beijing for a long time. This argument led to a war in 1962, which China won. In the years following that, a poorly defined unofficial border called the Line of Actual Control (LAC) has divided the two countries with nuclear capabilities.
Modi emphasized the importance of keeping peace and tranquility in the border areas and following the Line of Actual Control (LAC). This is crucial for improving the relationship between India and China.
On Friday, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the two leaders had an open and detailed discussion about the current relationship between China and India, along with other topics.
The text means that President Xi said it is important to make China and India’s relationship better,because it is good for both countries and their people. Both sides need to consider the overall benefits of their relationship and manage the border issue carefully to protect peace and calmness in the border area together.
The two countries, India and China, will have a meeting to try and improve their difficult relationship. This meeting is following their 19th round of talks to solve their border problem.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs said that both sides had a good and detailed discussion on resolving the remaining issues on the border in the Western Sector.
Modi and Xi went to a meeting called the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in Uzbekistan in September last year. They were both there, but they didn’t talk to each other about important matters. They spokes hortly a few weeks later during the sidelines of the G20leaders’ meeting in Bali, Indonesia.
The relationship between the two countries became worse after a fight in Aksai Chin-Ladakh in 2020. It got even worse last December when soldiers from both sides got into a fight in the Tawang sector of Arunachal Pradesh,causing minor injuries.
In April, the defense minister of India told the defense minister of China that when their shared border is crossed, it weakens the foundation of their relationship.
India has implemented multiple measures in response to the 2020 clash, aiming to counter the threats posed by China. Popular Chinese apps like TikTok and others have been banned, as authorities assert that these apps undermine their authority and solidarity.Moreover, they have taken steps to stop Chinese telecommunication companies like Huawei and ZTE from offering their 5G network.
Recently, there has been an increase in restrictions on journalists in both nations, resulting in a limited number of approved reporters in each other’s regions.
New Delhi expresses concern over Beijing’s increasing assertiveness as both countries prioritize their individual interests.Because of this, India has built a stronger relationship with the United States. They are part of a group called the Quad, along with Japan and Australia, which is seen as a way to balance China’s influence.
China opted not to participate in a tourism conference held in the region of Jammu and Kashmir, which was orchestrated by India.They said that they do not agree with having any G20 meetings in disputed territory. Both India and Pakistan say that the Kashmir region belongs to them.
India’s choice to hold this year’s SCO online meant that Modi and Xi couldn’t meet in person. Xi is also likely to go to the G20 leaders’ meeting in New Delhi next month.