Sources indicate that the meeting between Modi and Xi is expected to take place on September 12. Xi Jinping may arrive in India at 12:30 pm that day. However, when Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun was asked about the Chinese president's visit to India, he said he had no information about it yet, according to a report by China's Global Times.
India is holding the BRICS presidency this year. The 18th BRICS Summit will be hosted at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi and will be held on September 12 and 13, according to official information.
Xi Jinping's proposed visit to India is being viewed as significant for relations between the two countries. He would be visiting India after nearly seven years. Following the 2020 border dispute, political relations between India and China came under considerable strain. After the violent Galwan clash, military deployments by both countries increased, while several restrictions and precautionary measures were seen in the areas of trade and investment.
In recent months, however, the two countries have taken steps towards gradually normalising relations. Efforts have been made to reduce tensions along the border, advance dialogue and remove some obstacles in economic ties. According to Reuters, there have been signs of improvement in relations between the two countries, but the lack of mutual trust remains a major challenge.
The Line of Actual Control and the border dispute could be among the most important issues discussed during the Modi-Xi meeting. Trade, investment, direct flights and economic cooperation could also feature in the talks. India and China have held discussions at several levels in recent times. Talks between the two countries' special representatives and officials dealing with border matters have continued. The process is aimed at reducing tensions along the border and stabilising relations between the two countries.
The issue of rare mineral supplies could also assume importance during Xi Jinping's India visit. China plays a highly significant role in the global rare earth mineral supply chain, while these minerals are used in electric vehicles, electronics, defence equipment, wind energy and several modern technologies.
India has remained considerably dependent on rare mineral products and magnets supplied by China for its requirements. Against this backdrop, attention is on the possibility of an agreement between the two countries concerning their supply. However, available official information has not yet provided final confirmation that such an agreement will be signed during the Modi-Xi meeting on September 12.
The proposed meeting therefore comes at a significant point in India-China relations, with the BRICS Summit providing a setting for discussions on the border, economic ties, trade and other areas of bilateral engagement.
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