Wang Yi: Xi, Modi Reach Key Consensus on India-China Partnership

BEIJING, Sep 14: Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached a “most important consensus” during their meeting on the sidelines of the BRICS summit that India and China should remain partners rather than rivals.

Summing up Xi’s two day visit to New Delhi on September 12-13 for the 18th BRICS Summit and his talks with Modi, Wang said the two leaders held a candid and in-depth discussion on strategic, long-term and broader issues concerning bilateral relations.

According to Wang, Xi stressed that the two countries can draw on each other’s strengths, support one another, help each other achieve development goals and pursue common progress.

The leaders also agreed to jointly maintain peace and tranquillity in border areas and support each other as rotating chairs of BRICS, Wang said.

The meeting between Modi and Xi attracted significant international attention as relations between the two Asian powers have gradually improved after a period of tensions. A Chinese Foreign Ministry readout said bilateral ties have moved from a “restart” towards a “renewed elevation” under the strategic guidance of the two leaders.

Wang said areas of cooperation between the two countries are expanding, bilateral trade has reached record levels and people-to-people exchanges have become more active.

He described the improvement in relations as significant not only for the two countries but also for cooperation among developing nations across the Global South.

Both sides, Wang said, pledged to strengthen political trust, properly manage differences and contradictions, and work together to preserve peace and stability along the border.

He said the development paths of India and China should be viewed as providing opportunities for each other, with cooperation carrying significance well beyond bilateral relations.

Wang also urged India to work with China to translate the understanding reached by the two leaders into concrete action. He said both countries should continue advancing their relationship without stagnation or reversal.

The Chinese foreign minister stressed that the border question should be considered within the wider framework of bilateral relations, while dialogue and cooperation should remain the dominant trend.

During his talks with Modi, Xi called for political wisdom based on mutual respect and understanding to overcome disruptions in relations. He said progress on bilateral ties and the border issue should move forward in parallel, with the two processes reinforcing each other.

Wang said Modi responded positively and reaffirmed that India has consistently viewed its relationship with China from a strategic and long-term perspective.

According to Wang, Modi said India was prepared to act as a partner rather than an adversary and viewed China’s development as an opportunity instead of a challenge.

Wang also said Modi conveyed that India’s approach towards China is independent of third-party influence and that New Delhi would not permit forces to use Indian territory for anti-China activities.

India, according to Wang, remains committed to high-level exchanges, stronger strategic communication and expanded people-to-people contacts with China based on mutual respect and trust.

The two leaders agreed to place development at the centre of their shared interests and expand cooperation in areas such as cultural exchanges, people-to-people contacts and direct air connectivity.

The objective, Wang said, is to increase mutual understanding between the people of the two countries and create stronger public support for improved bilateral relations.

The two sides also agreed to support each other’s BRICS chairmanship and strengthen coordination through multilateral platforms including the United Nations, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and the G20.

They further agreed to deepen cooperation among Global South countries and promote a more multipolar international order, while contributing to regional and global stability and shared prosperity.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said on Monday that Beijing would work with New Delhi to implement the important understandings reached by Xi and Modi.

Guo said China would expand the areas of cooperation, deepen people-to-people exchanges and strengthen coordination at multilateral forums.

He added that Beijing would continue efforts to improve bilateral relations and support India’s development, while seeking to contribute to peace and prosperity in the region and beyond.

China is scheduled to take over the BRICS chairmanship in 2027.