Xi and Modi agree to address India-China trade concerns at BRICS meeting

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have reached "most important consensus" during their meeting on the margins of BRICS summit that China and India should be partners, the top Chinese diplomat said on Monday.Summing up Xi's two-day visit to New Delhi on September 12-13 to attend the 18th BRICS Summit and his meeting with PM Modi, Foreign Minister Wang Yi said the two leaders held a candid and in-depth exchange of views on strategic, long-term and directional issues concerning China-India relations.Read more - India, China agree to 'properly address' economic and trade concerns in a balanced mannerThe most important consensus they reached was that China and India should be partners, Wang told Chinese official media on Sunday.President Xi said that China and India can draw on each other's strengths, support one another, help each other succeed and pursue common development, according to Wang, who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee.Read all BRICS related stories hereThe leaders of the two countries agreed to jointly maintain peace and tranquility in border areas, while the two countries will support each other as rotating chair of the BRICS, Wang said.The Modi-Xi meeting drew widespread international attention, he said.Under the strategic guidance of the two countries' leaders, China-India relations have gradually emerged from a low point - progressing from a "restart" to a "renewed elevation," a readout posted on the Chinese Foreign Ministry website said.Areas of cooperation between the two countries keep expanding, trade volume has hit record highs, and people-to-people exchanges are growing more dynamic.The improvement and development of China-India relations are not only welcomed by the over 2.8 billion people of both nations, but also represent an essential pillar of strengthening cooperation across the Global South, Wang said.He said that both sides pledged to further nurture political mutual trust, manage differences and contradictions appropriately, and jointly uphold peace and tranquility along the border areas.Wang said that the development trajectories of China and India represent shared opportunity for one another, and that the impact of China-India cooperation extends far beyond bilateral ties, carrying profound significance for the Global South and the wider world.He noted that the normalisation and improvement of China-India relations has been hard-earned, and this progress deserves to be cherished.Expressing hope that India will join China in translating the leaders' shared consensus into action, he reaffirmed that both nations should remain partners rather than rivals, and advance bilateral relations steadily forward without stagnation or backsliding.He also emphasised that the border issue should be viewed in proper perspective within the broader context of the bilateral relationship; that dialogue and cooperation should remain the prevailing trend; and that both nations should accelerate their respective development and national renewal, working side by side to contribute their due share toward regional and global peace and shared prosperity.In his meeting with Modi, Xi called on China and India to draw on political wisdom of mutual respect and understanding to overcome disruptions, urging both sides to pursue parallel progress in bilateral ties and border issues with the two tracks reinforcing each other, so as to maintain peace and tranquility in border areas.Wang said PM Modi offered a positive response, affirming that India has always approached India-China relations from a strategic and long-term standpoint.PM Modi stated that India stands ready to be a partner, not an adversary, to China, and regards each other's development as an opportunity rather than a challenge, according to the Chinese foreign minister.India's approach to its relationship with China is independent of third-party influence, and it will not allow any forces to conduct anti-China activities on its territory, Wang said, quoting PM Modi.India remains committed to maintaining high-level exchanges with China, deepening strategic communication, and broadening people-to-people ties on the foundation of mutual respect and trust - all to drive further progress in bilateral relations, he added.The two leaders agreed to prioritise development as the bedrock of shared interest, deepen friendly ties and mutually beneficial collaboration, and expand cooperation in areas including cultural and people-to-people exchanges and direct air connectivity, to foster greater mutual understanding between the Chinese and Indian public and build stronger public support for bilateral relations, Wang said.They also agreed to support each other's BRICS chairmanship, strengthen coordination within multilateral frameworks including the United Nations, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, and the G20, advance cooperation across the Global South, promote a more multipolar world order, and together serve as a stabilising, progressive force in an era of global uncertainty, he said.China takes over as the BRICS chair for 2027.

Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal met Chinese counterpart Wang Wentao on Monday wherein they agreed to implement the important consensus reached by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping during their meeting on the sidelines of BRICS Summit.The two leaders, in a bilateral meeting held on Saturday, had agreed to "expand mutually beneficial cooperation in the economic and trade fields, properly address each other's economic and trade concerns in a balanced manner, and better benefit enterprises and people of both countries," Spokesperson of Chinese Embassy in India Yu Jing said in post on X.Also read: Xi-Modi thaw warms up ties at BRICS, but old India-China fault lines remainThe two leaders had a sincere and in-depth exchange of views and reached the important consensus that China and India should be partners.According to an earlier statement released by Chinese Embassy Spokesperson Xu Feihong, Xi had pointed out that China always approaches and develops its relations with India from a strategic and long-term perspective.The Chinese president said India and China should view each other as partners rather than rivals, and development opportunities rather than threats, as the two countries seek to place bilateral ties on a steadier footing. He called for an “objective and rational strategic perception” of the relationship, saying both sides should draw on each other’s strengths, support each other and pursue common development.Xi noted that institutional exchanges between the two countries had gradually resumed over the past two years, while the areas of cooperation had expanded and bilateral trade had reached a new high. He described the progress as having “not come easily” and urged both sides to cherish the current situation.On economic ties, Xi called for development to remain the “greatest common denominator” between the two countries, with greater emphasis on friendly exchanges and mutually beneficial cooperation. He also called for expanding people-to-people exchanges and direct flights to improve public perceptions of bilateral relations, while addressing each other’s economic and trade concerns in a balanced manner.Also read: Xi Jinping’s five-point BRICS plan puts China’s tech ambitions in spotlightThe Chinese president also linked the future of bilateral ties to progress on the boundary question, calling for “mutual respect and mutual understanding” to resolve irritants. Both sides should pursue parallel and mutually reinforcing progress on the relationship and boundary talks while maintaining peace and tranquillity in border areas, he said.On the broader global role of India and China, Xi called for greater coordination in multilateral forums, including BRICS, the United Nations, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and the G20. He urged the two countries to support each other’s BRICS chairships, work together to address global challenges and uphold what he described as international fairness and justice.He also framed closer India-China cooperation in the context of the Global South, saying the two most populous countries and important members of the Global South have a responsibility to contribute to world peace, stability, development and prosperity.

New Delhi: Chinese President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday held bilateral talks on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, with both leaders underlining the steady improvement in India-China relations and the need to build on the progress made over the past two years.The roughly 40-minute meeting marked Xi’s first visit to India in nearly seven years and came as the two countries seek to consolidate a gradual thaw in ties strained by the 2020 Galwan Valley clashes.Xi Says Ties Have Seen ‘New Elevation’During the meeting, Xi said bilateral relations had moved from a “new start” or “restart” after their meetings in Kazan in 2024 and Tianjin in 2025 to a “new elevation”.Met President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Delhi BRICS Summit. We reviewed the full range of India-China relations. Also conveyed best wishes for China’s BRICS Presidency that commences next year.在德里金砖峰会期间，会见了习近平主席。双方全面回顾了印中关系。… pic.twitter.com/tzqTIMNHGG— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 12, 2026 He highlighted the gradual resumption of institutional exchanges, an expanding agenda for cooperation and the growth in bilateral trade, which he said had reached a new high.Xi described the progress as hard-won and said the improvement in ties was something that “deserves to be cherished.”He also stressed that China and India should see each other as partners rather than rivals and treat each other’s development as an opportunity instead of a threat.Modi Stresses Border Peace, Existing AgreementsModi, meanwhile, underlined that peace and tranquillity along the border remain essential for the continued development of bilateral relations.The Prime Minister stressed the importance of adhering to existing agreements and maintaining efforts towards a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable settlement of the boundary question.He also reiterated the importance of the “three mutuals” mutual respect, mutual sensitivity and mutual interest as the guiding principles for India-China relations.Trade, Mobility And People-To-People Ties DiscussedThe two leaders also discussed ways to expand economic and people-to-people ties.Their talks covered greater business linkages, cultural exchanges and mobility between the two countries. The leaders also discussed concerns surrounding trade imbalances and supply chains, with an emphasis on making economic cooperation more balanced.Both sides also agreed that differences between India and China should not turn into disputes and that the relationship should be viewed from a strategic and long-term perspective.Quote Of The Day By Xi Jinping: ‘Chinese People Do Not Provoke Others, Nor Do We Shy Away From Trouble’ Focus On Cooperation Amid Border DifferencesThe meeting comes against the backdrop of sustained efforts by New Delhi and Beijing to stabilise relations while the broader boundary dispute remains unresolved.Xi also called for greater multilateral coordination between the two countries, including through platforms such as BRICS.The latest meeting between Modi and Xi signals an effort by both sides to deepen the recent improvement in ties while managing differences through dialogue, border agreements and continued diplomatic engagement.

New Delhi: PM Modi on Saturday told President Xi Jinping that peace and tranquility in the border areas remained an essential basis for the continued development of bilateral relations. He underlined the need for both sides to observe “existing agreements and understandings on border-related issues.” The two leaders also 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.” On the economic front, Modi and Xi “underlined the need to address each other’s concerns, including structural trade imbalance and supply chain issues, and facilitation of meaningful and predictable market access.”India-China ties and border issuesThe two leaders agreed that “both sides must continue to expand common ground on regional and global issues and in addressing challenges.”An MEA release post the meeting stated that “two leaders welcomed the steady progress in India-China bilateral relations since their last meeting in Tianjin in August 2025.”Both leaders emphasised that India and China “should take a strategic and long-term perspective of their ties. Differences should not become disputes.”BRICS New Delhi Declaration 2026 Calls For Gaza Ceasefire, Palestine Statehood & Global Economic CooperationXi Jinping's India visitPresident Xi landed at 12:25 pm at New Delhi’s Palam airport. Official Chinese media had stated that the Chinese president would be accompanied by Cai Qi, Member of the Politburo Standing Committee (PSC), Foreign Minister Wang Yi, along with a 67-member delegation that comprises officials, diplomats, security, and medical staff.Media reports not confirmed by the Chinese government say that the total delegation from China is 400, double the number that came for Modi-Xi bilateral summit that took place at Mamallapuram in 2019.MEA spokesperson Rnadhir Jaiswal wrote on X extending a “warm welcome to President Xi Jinping of the People’s Republic of China. He was received by MoS @JitinPrasada at the airport.”Jaiswal added, “We look forward to constructive discussions as BRICS continues to advance cooperation and contribute to a more balanced, representative, and multipolar world.”Also Watch:Bilateral talks on BRICS sidelinesPost the release of the BRICS joint declaration, Prime Minister Modi held bilateral discussions with President Xi later in the day on the sidelines of the summit.Officials said the fact that the talks were held in a congenial manner was expected given the goodwill measures that had preceded Xi’s visit.An eight-point consensus had been arrived at during the Special Representatives’ talks between NSA Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra was revived in 2025.Direct flights have been resumed between the two nations, with China Southern Airlines announcing that it would resume flights on the Guangzhou-New Delhi route starting September 21.

New Delhi, September 12, 2026: Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Saturday that China and India are partners, not rivals, and opportunities, not threats, for each other's development during his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.China-India Ties See Further Enhancement"In the past two years, he (President Xi Jinping) and Prime Minister Modi have met twice, guiding China-India relations from a 'restart' to a 'further enhancement'. Institutional exchanges between the two countries have gradually resumed, the cooperation list has been continuously extended, and bilateral trade has reached a new high," the Ministry added.It said that China and India have different national conditions and can fully learn from each other's strengths, support each other, achieve mutual success, and develop together.#WATCH | PM @narendramodi holds bilateral talks with China President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of BRICS Summit 2026.PM Modi warmly welcomed Chinese President Xi Jinping to India, thanked China for its support during India’s BRICS Chairship, and expressed commitment to… pic.twitter.com/3M5uuzhi9K— DD News (@DDNewslive) September 12, 2026 PM Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping begin their meeting in Delhi on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit. pic.twitter.com/TfGuS7M4Jt— Devansh Kumar (@BharatKaDevansh) September 12, 2026 "Faced with a complex and volatile international situation, China and India, as the world's two most populous countries and important members of the Global South, shoulder important responsibilities. Both sides should keep the future of humanity in mind and prioritise the well-being of their people, working together to promote high-quality development of BRICS cooperation and provide more positive energy for promoting world peace, stability, development, and prosperity," the Ministry stressed.PM Modi thanked Xi Jinping, President of the People’s Republic of China, for his support and cooperation during Bharat's BRICS' chairship. pic.twitter.com/sIr4rA2SW3— BJP (@BJP4India) September 12, 2026 Xi Shares Four-Point ApproachIt noted that President Xi shared four points on promoting the steady and long-term development of China-India relations."First, we should calibrate our direction with an objective and rational strategic understanding. China and India are partners, not rivals, and opportunities, not threats, for each other's development. This strategic judgment is based on the development stages of both countries and the international environment, and it aligns with the common interests of both countries and their people," the statement said."Second, we should achieve mutual success through win-win cooperation," it added.The Ministry said that both sides should focus on development as the greatest common denominator, strengthening friendly exchanges and mutually beneficial cooperation.Focus On Border Peace"Third, we should eliminate interference with the political wisdom of mutual respect and understanding. We should commit to the parallel development and mutual promotion of bilateral relations and border issues, maintaining peace and tranquillity in border areas," the Ministry noted."Fourth, we should benefit the world through open and inclusive multilateral cooperation," the Ministry said.Also Watch: PM Modi Explains Significance Of Ramanathaswamy Temple To President Xi, Other BRICS Leaders At Iconic Temple BackdropIt noted that India and China should support each other's presidency of BRICS, strengthen cooperation within multilateral frameworks such as the United Nations, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, and the G20, work together to address global challenges, and unequivocally defend international fairness and justice.(Disclaimer: Except for the headline, this article has not been edited by FPJ's editorial team and is auto-generated from an agency feed.)

New Delhi, September 12: Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday said China and India should view their bilateral ties from a strategic perspective, keeping in mind the long-term development of relations, as he held talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Summit in the national capital.“China-India relations have developed, with both sides keeping in mind the long-term development of bilateral relations from a strategic perspective,” Xi said during his meeting with PM Modi.Xi said that although China and India are different, the two countries have been able to “support and help each other to achieve common development.”#WATCH | Delhi: During the bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, PM Narendra Modi says, "I express my gratitude for the support and cooperation received from China during India's BRICS chairmanship. We now have the opportunity to discuss bilateral cooperation. Once… pic.twitter.com/f0Zdc4ZPIq— ANI (@ANI) September 12, 2026“I am very happy to attend the New Delhi BRICS summit and to meet with you again. I extend my warm congratulations on the success of the BRICS summit held in India,” the Chinese President said.The Chinese President noted that this was his second visit to New Delhi in 12 years and said the two leaders had met more than 20 times during the period, leading to “a series of important consensuses".Highlighting the shared position of the two countries as the world's most populous nations and members of the Global South, Xi said China and India have important responsibilities towards a shared future for humanity.Xi also said China and India can learn from each other's strengths and achieve shared development, while urging the two countries to join hands for high-quality development of greater BRICS cooperation."Although the two countries are different, we have been able to support and help each other to achieve common development. China and India are the world's most populous countries and belong to the Global South. We have important responsibilities, as we have a shared future for humanity. We should continue to promote high-quality cooperation with the people as the foundation and strive for a more equitable and inclusive world that is more open and economically integrated, contributing positive energy to world peace, stability, and development," he said.#WATCH | Delhi: During the bilateral meeting with PM Narendra Modi, Chinese President Xi Jinping said, "In the face of a complex international landscape marked by intertwined changes and challenges, China and India, as the world's two most populous countries and important members… pic.twitter.com/MZff4EpQ6F— ANI (@ANI) September 12, 2026Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during the bilateral meeting, 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,” PM Modi said.“We now have the opportunity to discuss bilateral cooperation. Once again, a warm welcome to India,” he added.The meeting took place after BRICS nations 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 avoid actions that could further aggravate the situation.The declaration urged the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure and called for greater efforts through dialogue and diplomacy towards lasting peace, security and stability in the region.“We stress the need to work together to maintain smooth flow of global trade, supply chains and energy, in accordance with applicable international law,” the declaration said.Earlier, in his remarks at the 18th BRICS Summit, Xi said the ongoing war in West Asia had caused serious losses to people across the region and was against the common interests of the international community, according to Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning.“President Xi Jinping pointed out that this war has inflicted serious losses on the people of all countries in the region, and it is against the common interests of the international community,” Mao Ning said in a post on X.Xi called on the parties concerned to remain committed to a political settlement and work towards a permanent and comprehensive ceasefire.“The relevant parties should keep to the direction of political settlement, and work for a permanent, comprehensive ceasefire,” Xi said, according to Mao Ning.“China will work with fellow BRICS members to play a due role in bringing peace and tranquillity to the Middle East,” he added.The BRICS grouping also expressed serious concern over attacks on civilian infrastructure and peaceful nuclear facilities under full safeguards of the International Atomic Energy Agency, stressing that nuclear safeguards, safety and security must be upheld, including during armed conflicts.The declaration called for the implementation of relevant UN General Assembly and UN Security Council resolutions and urged all parties to maintain a ceasefire and ensure full and unhindered humanitarian access in the Gaza Strip.Xi also announced that China will take over the BRICS chairship next year and host the 19th BRICS Summit.According to Mao Ning, Xi said China would use the opportunity to build consensus and work with all parties to plan for the future.“The Chinese side will seize the opportunity to build consensus and work with all parties to plan for the future,” Xi said in a post on X.President Xi Jinping said on Saturday that the #BRICS cooperation mechanism has become the world's most influential platform for cooperation among emerging markets and developing countries.When addressing the Session I of the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, Xi noted that this… pic.twitter.com/zw12YlX0JN— Xi's Moments (@XisMoments) September 12, 2026“Together, we will usher in the third golden decade of BRICS cooperation,” he added.Addressing the 18th BRICS Summit session on Inclusive Global Governance and Strengthening, PM Modi proposed 10 measures for global governance reform, which BRICS members could develop into a BRICS Reform Roadmap by the next Summit.He also called for transforming the Global South from a “rule-taker into a rule-shaper”, saying the Global South remains at the forefront of global crises but continues to remain on the sidelines when it comes to decision-making.The declaration comes as India hosts the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on September 12-13, with India's Chairship guided by the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability." (Except for the headline, this article has not been edited by FPJ's editorial team and auto-generated from an agency feed.)