BRICS Summit Live | Modi, Xi endorse LAC pact, okay resumption of bilateral talks

In their much-anticipated first structured bilateral talks in nearly five years, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday (October 23) agreed that India and China can have a “peaceful and stable” relationship by displaying maturity and mutual respect.

The leaders endorsed the pact on the resolution of the dragging eastern Ladakh border row and noted that the special representatives on the India-China boundary question have a critical role to play in the resolution of the issue and for the maintenance of peace and tranquillity in border areas.

In the meeting held on the sidelines of the 16th BRICS Summit in Russia’s Kazan, Modi underscored the need to not allow differences on boundary-related matters to disturb peace and tranquillity along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

Modi and Xi instructed the special representatives to meet at an early date and continue their efforts, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said at a media briefing. “We hope to schedule the next meeting of Special Representatives at an appropriate date,” he said.

Officials will now take the next steps to discuss enhancing strategic communication and stabilising bilateral relations by utilising official dialogue mechanisms, he said.

Modi renews call for dialogue and diplomacy

In his address at the 16th BRICS Summit, Modi on Wednesday renewed his call for dialogue and diplomacy as being the only way forward to resolve conflicts, in an unambiguous message to press for the resolution of the Russia-Ukraine war through peaceful negotiations.

Modi also said the grouping must give the world a message that it is not a divisive organisation, but one that works in the interest of humanity. The prime minister flagged concerns over pressing challenges such as wars, economic uncertainty, climate change and terrorism and said the BRICS can play a positive role to take the world in the right path.

“I believe that as a diverse and inclusive platform, BRICS can play a positive role in all areas,” he said.

“We support dialogue and diplomacy, not war. And just as we were able to overcome a challenge like COVID together, we are certainly able to create new opportunities to ensure a secure, strong and prosperous future for future generations,” he said.

Modi assures support to Putin

During bilateral talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday (October 22), Modi assured him to provide all possible cooperation to find a peaceful resolution to the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

He also apprised Putin about his meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The Indian side also pressed Russia for early discharge of the remaining Indian nationals recruited as support staff in the Russian military.

In his televised opening remarks, the prime minister conveyed to the Russian leader that New Delhi “fully supports” the early return of peace and stability in the region.

Modi also said that his second visit to Russia in the last three months reflected “close” coordination and “deep trust” between the two countries.

India’s role in de-escalating conflict in West Asia

On the first day of the summit, Modi also met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, who emphasised the need for peace in West Asia and the role that India could play in de-escalating the conflict given its good relations with all the parties, amid heightened tension between Iran and Israel.

The two leaders also discussed ways to strengthen cooperation in key areas, including Chabahar Port and the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC).

“Had a very good meeting with the President of Iran, Mr. Masoud Pezeshkian. We reviewed the full range of relations between our countries. We also discussed ways to deepen ties in futuristic sectors,” Modi wrote on X

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