Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday reaffirmed their commitment to finding a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable resolution to the India-China boundary question, while stressing the need to view bilateral relations from a strategic and long-term perspective.
The two leaders held bilateral talks on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi and welcomed the steady progress in India-China relations since their previous meeting in Tianjin in August 2025, according to a ANI report.
The report quoting Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said Modi and Xi agreed that both countries should adopt a strategic and long-term approach to their relationship.
Prime Minister Modi emphasised that “differences should not become disputes” and said the relationship should be guided by “mutual respect, mutual sensitivity and mutual interest”.
He also stressed that peace and tranquillity along the border remain an essential foundation for the continued development of bilateral ties. Modi underlined the need for both sides to adhere to existing agreements and understandings relating to the boundary question.
“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.
Xi calls for strategic, long-term approach
During the meeting, Xi said China and India should continue to view their relationship from a strategic perspective while keeping in mind the long-term development of bilateral ties.
He said relations between the two countries had developed with both sides taking into account their long-term interests.
Xi acknowledged that India and China were different but said the two countries had been able to support and help each other in pursuing common development.
Highlighting the position of India and China as the world’s two most populous countries and members of the Global South, Xi said the two countries had important responsibilities in advancing a shared future for humanity.
He called for continued efforts towards high-quality cooperation, with people at its foundation, and said India and China should work towards a more equitable and inclusive world that remains open and economically integrated.
Such cooperation, he said, would contribute positively to global peace, stability and development.
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Focus on trade, people-to-people ties
The two leaders also discussed strengthening people-to-people contacts and agreed on the importance of promoting cultural exchanges, business linkages and greater mobility between India and China.
On economic and trade relations, they underlined the need to address each other’s concerns, including structural trade imbalances and supply-chain issues.
The two sides also stressed the importance of facilitating meaningful and predictable market access, the MEA said.
Modi and Xi further agreed that India and China should continue expanding common ground on regional and global issues and work together in addressing shared challenges.
Modi expressed gratitude to China for its support and cooperation during India’s BRICS chairship.
“It gives me great pleasure to extend a warm welcome to you. Thank you very much for your positive remarks at the BRICS Summit. I express my gratitude for the support and cooperation received from China during India’s BRICS chairmanship,” Modi said.
West Asia situation also discussed
The talks came shortly after BRICS countries unanimously adopted the New Delhi Declaration 2026, which expressed concern over the continued escalation of tensions in West Asia and called for maximum restraint and efforts to prevent further deterioration of the situation.
The declaration called for protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure and urged greater reliance on dialogue and diplomacy to achieve lasting peace, security and stability in the region.
Xi also raised concerns over the ongoing conflict in West Asia, saying the war had caused serious losses of life and suffering across the region and was contrary to the common interests of the international community.
According to Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning, Xi said the relevant parties should remain committed to a political settlement and work towards a permanent and comprehensive ceasefire.
“China will work with fellow BRICS members to play a due role in bringing peace and tranquillity to the Middle East,” Xi said.
China to take over BRICS chairship
Xi also announced that China would assume the BRICS chairship next year and host the 19th BRICS Summit.
He said China would use the opportunity to build consensus and work with all members to chart the future course of the grouping.
“Together, we will usher in the third golden decade of BRICS cooperation,” Xi said, according to Mao Ning.
The Modi-Xi meeting took place as India hosts the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on September 12-13 under its chairship theme, “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.”
