Ahead of the visit, China issued a significant message on relations with India, saying that the two countries should properly manage their differences and move forward as good neighbours and friends. Beijing also stressed the need to increase dialogue between the two sides.
The statement came shortly before the expected meeting between Modi and Xi and has drawn attention to the direction of India-China relations. Chinese Ambassador to India Xu Feihong said Beijing and New Delhi were preparing for a bilateral meeting between the two leaders.
Xu Feihong said China wants to take its relations with India forward from a long-term perspective. He stressed the need to increase dialogue and strengthen cooperation. China has also called for the two countries to move ahead as good neighbours and partners who help each other succeed.
In a social media post, Xu Feihong said China would work with India in line with the strategic thinking of the two leaders. He emphasised increasing communication between the two countries, exploring new areas of cooperation and properly managing existing differences.
In simple terms, China’s message is that disagreements may remain between the two countries on certain issues, but they should not lead to a halt in dialogue. Beijing wants bilateral relations to be viewed from a long-term perspective.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning also made similar remarks on India. She said China is ready to increase dialogue with India and that both countries should view their relationship from a strategic and long-term perspective. Mao Ning also stressed the importance of properly managing differences.
She described India and China as good neighbours and said the two countries should be partners that help each other succeed.
Xi Jinping is coming to India after nearly seven years. He will attend the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi and will also hold bilateral talks with Narendra Modi. His previous visit to India was in 2019, when he travelled to Mahabalipuram near Chennai for an informal meeting with Modi.
The meeting comes at a time when India-China relations have faced differences over several issues. Border-related questions between the two countries have also remained part of discussions for a long time. In recent times, efforts have been made on both sides to take dialogue forward.
Xi’s India visit is not limited to his meeting with Prime Minister Modi. He will also participate in the BRICS summit. India is holding the BRICS presidency this year, and the summit will be held in New Delhi on September 12 and 13.
China has also stressed dialogue and cooperation in the context of BRICS. Mao Ning said Beijing wants to work with BRICS countries to resolve disputes through dialogue. She said BRICS has become an important platform for emerging economies and developing countries.
With China issuing these statements before Xi Jinping’s arrival in India, attention is now focused on his meeting with Narendra Modi and the issues the two leaders discuss as they consider the way forward for bilateral relations.
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