Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping held a comprehensive review of India-China relations on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in New Delhi. The leaders underscored the critical importance of adopting a “strategic and long-term perspective” to their bilateral ties, according to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office.
This high-level meeting, which follows their previous interaction in Tianjin in August 2025, focused on several key areas, including maintaining peace and tranquillity in border regions, expanding trade and supply chains, ensuring market access, and fostering greater people-to-people connections.
Border Stability: A Cornerstone of Relations
A central theme of the discussions was the imperative of upholding peace and stability in the border areas. Prime Minister Modi reiterated that a calm border environment is fundamental for the sustained development of bilateral relations. Both leaders affirmed their commitment to achieving a “fair, reasonable, and mutually acceptable” resolution to the boundary question, considering the broader political relationship and the long-term interests of both nations.
The emphasis on border stability signals that progress on this sensitive issue remains intrinsically linked to the overall trajectory of India-China relations.
Economic Cooperation and Trade
Beyond security concerns, economic and trade relations featured prominently on the agenda. Modi and Xi acknowledged the need to address mutual concerns, specifically highlighting issues related to the trade imbalance and the resilience of supply chains. They also discussed facilitating meaningful and predictable market access for businesses from both countries, signaling a push for stronger economic linkages.
Expanding Global and Regional Collaboration
The leaders agreed that India and China should continue to identify common ground on regional and global challenges and work collaboratively to address them. Prime Minister Modi expressed appreciation for China’s support during India’s BRICS chairship and its contributions to the success of the 2026 BRICS Summit in New Delhi. Looking ahead, Modi also conveyed India’s best wishes to China as it prepares to assume the BRICS presidency next year.