Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in New Delhi on Saturday, with the two leaders welcoming steady progress in India-China bilateral relations since their last meeting in Tianjin in August 2025.
The two leaders reaffirmed that India and China should adopt a strategic and long-term perspective towards their bilateral ties and stressed that differences should not become disputes, according to a press release issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
Prime Minister Modi emphasised that the relationship should be guided by three mutuals — mutual respect, mutual sensitivity and mutual interest.
PM Modi, Xi Stress Border Peace, Push for Boundary Resolution
Prime Minister Modi emphasised that peace and tranquillity in the border areas remains an essential basis for the continued development of India-China bilateral relations.
He underlined the need for both sides to adhere to existing agreements and understandings on border-related issues.
The two leaders expressed commitment to a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable resolution of the boundary question, proceeding from the political perspective of their overall bilateral relations and the long-term interests of the two peoples, the MEA said.
India, China Seek Greater Mobility, Stronger Economic and Trade Ties
The two leaders took note of progress in people-to-people ties and underscored the need to further promote cultural exchanges, business linkages and greater mobility between the two countries.
On economic and trade relations, Modi and Xi underlined the need to address each other’s concerns, including structural trade imbalance and supply chain issues, while facilitating meaningful and predictable market access, according to the MEA.
The two leaders also agreed that both sides must continue to expand common ground on regional and global issues and work together to address emerging challenges.
PM Modi Appreciates China’s Support for India’s BRICS Chairship
Prime Minister Modi appreciated China’s support for India’s BRICS Chairship and its contributions towards the success of the BRICS Summit-2026, the MEA said.
The meeting took place on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Summit, which is being hosted by India at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi on September 12–13.
The BRICS grouping on Saturday adopted a joint declaration by consensus. Prime Minister Modi announced the adoption of the New Delhi Declaration at the end of the opening day’s deliberations.
India’s BRICS Chairship is guided by the theme, “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability”, reflecting the government’s people-centric approach rooted in the spirit of “Humanity First”.
