Chinese President Xi Jinping outlined a four-point approach to strengthen India-China relations during his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on September 12. Xi called for the two countries to view each other as “partners rather than rivals” and “development opportunities rather than threats”, while advocating greater economic and people-to-people cooperation. He also urged both sides to use “mutual respect and mutual understanding” to address differences, maintain peace along the border and work towards resolving the boundary question.
Modi, meanwhile, stressed that differences should not become disputes and reiterated the importance of border peace, mutual respect, sensitivity and interest. The meeting marked a significant step in efforts to stabilise ties after years of tensions following the 2020 Ladakh border clash.
Partners, Not Rivals
Xi’s four-point approach centred first on what he described as an “objective and rational strategic perception” of bilateral ties. He said India and China are partners rather than rivals and should regard each other’s development as an opportunity. His second point focused on win-win cooperation, with a call to expand friendly exchanges, people-to-people contacts and direct flights, while addressing economic and trade concerns in a balanced manner. Xi’s third point was aimed at managing differences through political wisdom, mutual respect and understanding.
He called for parallel progress on bilateral relations and the boundary question while maintaining peace and tranquillity in border areas. His fourth point urged India and China to deepen open and inclusive multilateral cooperation through institutions such as BRICS, the United Nations, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) and the G20.
Modi Stresses Border Peace
Modi also framed the relationship from a long-term and strategic perspective, saying India was willing to work with China as a partner rather than a rival and viewed each country’s development as an opportunity. He emphasised that the relationship should be guided by “mutual respect, mutual sensitivity and mutual interest”. According to reports on the meeting, Modi stressed that peace and tranquillity along the border were essential for the continued development of bilateral ties and called for adherence to existing agreements.
The two leaders also discussed trade, market access, supply-chain concerns and people-to-people exchanges. Their meeting followed several steps towards restoring engagement, including the resumption of direct flights and the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage. China has also expressed support for India’s BRICS presidency, while New Delhi has backed China’s upcoming BRICS chairship.
From Standoff To Dialogue
The latest diplomatic outreach comes after one of the most difficult periods in India-China relations in decades. The relationship deteriorated sharply following the 2020 border crisis in eastern Ladakh, including the deadly Galwan Valley clash in which 20 Indian soldiers and four Chinese soldiers were killed. Military tensions and a prolonged troop deployment along the Line of Actual Control affected political, economic and people-to-people ties. However, both governments have gradually sought to rebuild communication.
China’s Foreign Ministry had said ahead of Xi’s visit that Beijing was ready to strengthen ties from a strategic and long-term perspective, increase communication and cooperation, and “properly handle differences”.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
India and China may have profound disagreements, particularly over their disputed boundary, but sustained confrontation serves neither country nor the millions of people whose lives are connected through trade, travel, education, culture and shared regional interests. Xi and Modi’s emphasis on dialogue, mutual respect and development is therefore significant, but words must be followed by consistent action.
Lasting peace cannot depend only on summit meetings; it requires trust-building, respect for existing agreements, responsible conduct along the border and meaningful efforts to address legitimate concerns on both sides. At a time when the world is already facing multiple conflicts, the message that neighbours can manage differences without allowing them to become disputes is worth encouraging. Can India and China turn this renewed diplomatic engagement into a more stable, peaceful and mutually beneficial relationship?
Met President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Delhi BRICS Summit.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 12, 2026
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
