New Delhi/Kazan: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is attending the highly anticipated BRICS Summit 2024 in Kazan, Russia today, where he is scheduled to engage in crucial bilateral talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping. This meeting marks the first formal dialogue between the two leaders since the border tensions in Eastern Ladakh erupted in May 2020, making it a significant moment in Indo-China relations.
The bilateral talks are expected to address regional and global cooperation, with a focus on diffusing tensions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh, where both nations have faced a four-year military standoff. Just yesterday, India and China reached a groundbreaking agreement on patrolling operations at the LAC, signaling a major step toward resolving the deadlock. This breakthrough will likely form the cornerstone of today’s discussions, as both nations strive to stabilize their military presence along the disputed border.
Milestone in India-China Relations
The Modi-Xi talks come at a critical juncture, with growing diplomatic efforts to ease tensions between the world’s two most populous nations. These talks are not only symbolic but also substantial, given the recent agreement on patrolling and the immediate goal of troop withdrawal. The focus will be on how both sides can gradually de-escalate the military buildup at the LAC, moving towards long-term peace and stability in the region.
Revisiting Past Engagements
While this will be the first structured dialogue since 2020, PM Modi and Xi have crossed paths on the global stage. In November 2022, the two leaders briefly exchanged greetings during a G-20 dinner hosted by Indonesia, and more recently in August 2023, they had an informal conversation at the BRICS Summit in Johannesburg. However, today’s meeting in Kazan holds far more weight, given the backdrop of ongoing border negotiations and the historic nature of the talks.
BRICS Summit’s Role in Global Diplomacy
Besides the bilateral discussions with Xi, PM Modi is scheduled to engage with other BRICS leaders, promoting regional and global cooperation on issues like trade, security, and sustainable development. His participation in the summit underlines India’s growing role in the BRICS coalition, which is seen as a counterbalance to Western-led global governance structures.
Following the conclusion of his meetings, Prime Minister Modi will return to India later today, but the outcomes of these critical conversations will likely shape the next phase of India-China relations and broader geopolitical dynamics in the region.
