China has expressed approval of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s comments on India’s independent foreign policy after his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the BRICS Summit in New Delhi. The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Guo Jiakun, acknowledged Modi’s declaration that India’s relationship with China would remain uninfluenced by external nations. This sentiment was highlighted as a significant takeaway from the discussions, suggesting that both China and India should continue to be partners and support each other’s developmental endeavors.
President Xi emphasized that despite the differing national conditions of the two countries, cooperation should be the focal point, with any differences being managed through mutual respect and understanding. India has underscored the necessity of peace and stability along the border as a cornerstone for enhancing bilateral relations. Modi reiterated the importance of adhering to pre-existing agreements and understandings concerning the border to maintain a peaceful environment.
The leaders of both countries have expressed their backing for a fair and mutually satisfactory resolution of the boundary dispute. They underscored the importance of ensuring that any differences do not escalate into more significant disputes, aiming for a peaceful and cooperative relationship between the neighboring nations.
This meeting follows a period marked by tensions along the Line of Actual Control, a contentious border area. In October 2024, India and China reached an agreement to disengage troops from several friction points in the Ladakh sector, which was a move aimed at reducing a long-standing military standoff.