At BRICS, Xi Jinping proposes 4-point plan for peace in West Asia

HYDERABAD, Sept 13 — Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping met on the sidelines of the Brics Summit in New Delhi and pledged that "differences should not become disputes" in their bilateral relations. The two leaders acknowledged the positive developments in India-China ties since their last encounter in Tianjin in August 2025, according to a statement by India’s External Affairs Ministry.

They stressed the importance of maintaining a long-term perspective on their relationship, emphasizing that any disagreements should be resolved with "mutual respect, mutual sensitivity, and mutual interest."

Modi highlighted the need for India-China relations to be guided by "peace and tranquility in the border areas," which remains crucial for the continued growth of bilateral ties. He also reiterated the significance of observing existing agreements and understandingings regarding border issues. Both leaders expressed their commitment to finding a fair, reasonable, and mutually acceptable solution to the boundary question, taking into account the political perspective of their broader bilateral relationship and the long-term interests of both nations.

During their discussions, the two heads of state also explored avenues for boosting cultural exchanges and strengthening business linkages. They agreed to address concerns over trade imbalances, supply chain challenges, and market access. However, India still faces a significant trade deficit of US$112.1 billion (RM456.6 billion) with China, accounting for US$151.1 billion (RM615.7 billion) of total bilateral trade in 2025-26, as reported by government data.