Modi raises India’s concerns with Xi, stresses border peace

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi raised India’s concerns with Chinese President Xi Jinping during their meeting on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in New Delhi, with the Indian government stressing the need for both countries to remain sensitive to each other’s core concerns.

The Ministry of External Affairs said Modi emphasised that India-China ties should be guided by mutual respect, mutual interest and mutual sensitivity.

Border peace remains central to ties

During the meeting, Modi told Xi that peace and tranquillity along the border remain an essential basis for taking bilateral relations forward.

The two leaders met on September 12 during Xi’s visit to India for the BRICS Summit, his first visit to the country in seven years. Their discussions came against the backdrop of efforts to stabilise relations following the military tensions along the disputed Himalayan border.

China has also said that the two sides agreed to maintain peace and tranquillity in border areas.

India responds to Chinese readout

The MEA’s remarks came after China’s readout of the meeting referred to India’s position on Tibet and Taiwan and said India does not allow anti-China activities to be conducted from its territory.

India’s own readout did not specifically mention Tibet or Taiwan. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, however, said Modi had also raised Indian concerns during the discussion.

India has maintained its position on Tibet and Taiwan while continuing engagement with Taiwan in areas including trade, investment, tourism, culture and education.

‘Three mutuals’ to guide relations

Jaiswal said both countries should approach their relationship through the principles of mutual respect, mutual interest and mutual sensitivity.

The remarks indicate the issues that remain part of the broader India-China relationship even as both sides work to restore dialogue and expand economic and people-to-people engagement.

For India, peace along the border remains an important condition for sustained progress in the wider bilateral relationship.