Modi and Xi Seek India-China Reset in Crucial BRICS Meeting

NEW DELHI – Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday during the BRICS summit in New Delhi, in a fresh attempt by the neighboring rivals to improve relations fractured by a fatal border confrontation six years ago.

Xi said Beijing views its relationship with New Delhi through a “strategic and long-term perspective,” urging the two countries to complement one another’s strengths, offer mutual support and work toward shared growth.

The Chinese leader also called for “high-quality cooperation,” arguing that China and India have a responsibility as leading Global South nations to advance a more multipolar international order while helping safeguard global peace and stability.

Modi, meanwhile, thanked Xi for China’s support in organizing the BRICS gathering. Beijing is due to host next year’s summit.

Saturday’s discussions followed a meeting between the leaders in China last year, when Modi traveled there for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit, the China-founded regional bloc focused on political, economic and security issues.

The BRICS summit also marks Xi’s first trip to India since 2019, highlighting the gradual and cautious diplomatic thaw between Asia’s two major powers after their relationship was severely damaged by the 2020 clash.

At least 20 Indian troops and four Chinese soldiers were killed in the 2020 confrontation along the remote Ladakh frontier, a harsh cold-desert region. The violence triggered a prolonged military standoff across the rugged Himalayan terrain, with both countries deploying tens of thousands of troops, supported by artillery, tanks and fighter aircraft.

Although India and China have moved to reduce tensions in the years since, significant distrust still shadows the relationship.

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The nuclear-armed neighbors continue to contest sections of their shared border. Relations are also strained by India’s substantial trade deficit with China, New Delhi’s curbs on Chinese technology and investment, and their competing strategic ambitions across Asia. India has expanded military facilities along the disputed frontier, while China has strengthened its own side with roads and defensive installations.

Xi’s India visit is now seen as a key measure of whether the recent diplomatic warming can develop into a more durable stabilization of India-China relations.

Since their 1962 war, the economies of both countries have grown substantially, but China has far outpaced India and runs a large trade surplus with its neighbor. Their growing economic rivalry has added to longstanding territorial and strategic differences.

India has sought to capitalize on China’s rising labor costs and strained ties with the United States and Europe to position itself as an alternative base for foreign manufacturers. New Delhi has also viewed China’s multibillion-dollar Belt and Road Initiative with concern and has strongly opposed it.

At the same time, India’s growing strategic partnership with the U.S. has raised concerns in Beijing, which views the relationship as part of efforts to counter China’s rise.

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Associated Press journalist Zheng Liu in Beijing contributed to this report.