China – India: Historic Meeting in Kazan Between Xi Jinping and Narendra Modi

BRICS further strengthens the influence and voice of the Global South and protects the common interests of developing countries

Xi Jinping, Vladimir Putin e Narendra Modi

Chinese President Xi Jinping had a “long and constructive” conversation with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The first “real” meeting was made possible through the personal mediation of Russian President Vladimir Putin (pictured), who did everything possible to guarantee the participation of both Asian leaders in the BRICS super summit in Kazan, Russia. The meeting, which was the first official bilateral meeting between Xi Jinping and Modi in five years, came after Beijing and New Delhi announced an agreement on decades-old border disputes involving tens of thousands of soldiers in the mountainous Ladakh region.

For this reason, Xi Jinping and Narendra Modi agreed, first of all, that the special border representatives would meet soon and that the two sides would work to normalize relations. It was agreed that “special representatives on the India-China border issue will meet as soon as possible to supervise the maintenance of peace and tranquility in the border areas and to explore a just, reasonable, and mutually acceptable solution to the border issue. Appropriate dialogue mechanisms at the level of foreign ministers and other officials will also be used to stabilize and restore bilateral relations.”

The Prime Minister of India, while welcoming the recent agreement on complete disengagement and resolution of the 2020 issues, emphasized the importance of adequate management of differences and disputes so as not to disturb peace and tranquility. Modi and Xi “emphasized the need to develop bilateral relations in a strategic and long-term perspective, improve strategic communications, and explore cooperation to address development challenges,” believing that “stable, predictable, and friendly relations” between the world’s two most populous neighboring countries “will have a positive impact on regional and global peace and prosperity, as well as contribute to a multipolar Asia and a multipolar world.”

“China and India should strengthen coordination, cooperation, and strategic trust, make international commitments and be an example of unity for developing countries,” Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized. China and India offer “opportunities for mutual development and do not pose a threat to each other,” said Xi Jinping, according to whom it is necessary to pursue “correct strategic understanding and seek the right path together” to resolve disputes.

Masoud Pezeshkian e Xi Jinping

Subsequently, again on the margins of the 16th BRICS summit, Xi Jinping held a series of meetings, including talks with Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian (pictured) and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.

As President Xi Jinping emphasized, despite changes in the regional and international landscape, China is determined to “develop friendly cooperation with Iran.” According to Xi Jinping, “China intends to support Iran with conviction, provided it respects the basic principles of international relations, such as non-interference in internal affairs, and safeguards the legitimate rights and interests of the two countries.” The Chinese president is open to closer cooperation with Tehran within BRICS and other international organizations to “further increase the influence and representation of the Global South, as well as promote the development of the international architecture in a more just and reasonable direction.” Finally, Xi Jinping and Pezeshkian discussed the current situation and possible developments in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in Gaza and the conflict between the Jewish State and Lebanon – a dossier on which Xi Jinping reiterated China’s “deep concern.”

The discussion on escalating conflicts in the Middle East continued during talks here between Xi Jinping and Egyptian President Al-Sisi. China appreciates Egypt’s efforts to promote a ceasefire in Gaza and is willing to strengthen coordination with Cairo to “rapidly de-escalate the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.” “China is deeply concerned about the current situation in the Middle East,” Xi Jinping said, among other things. “War and chaos in the region is not in anyone’s interest.” The Chinese leader reiterated that “the top priority is the full and effective implementation” of UN Security Council resolutions and the “cessation of hostilities as soon as possible.” Regarding bilateral relations between the world’s second-largest economy and the North African country, Xi Jinping said he is willing to work with Egypt within the BRICS framework to “further strengthen the influence and voice of the Global South and safeguard the common interests of developing countries.”