China is ready to strengthen ties with India and address bilateral differences through the strategic direction of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping, Chinese Ambassador to India Xu Feihong said on Friday.
His remarks came just before Xi’s arrival in New Delhi for the 18th BRICS Summit, where he is due to meet Modi for bilateral talks. Xu confirmed that arrangements were underway for the meeting, reports NDTV.
“China and India are arranging for the bilateral meeting between President Xi and Prime Minister Modi,” Xu wrote on X on Friday night.
Xi departed Beijing on Saturday for the BRICS Summit at Modi’s invitation. His visit marks his first trip to India in nearly seven years.
The ambassador said the upcoming talks would mark the third consecutive year in which the two leaders have met, following their meetings in Kazan and Tianjin.
Xu said Beijing intends to deepen engagement with New Delhi while managing areas of disagreement.
“China will work with India to act on the strategic guidance of the two leaders, handle the bilateral relations from a strategic height and long-term perspective, step up communication, enhance cooperation, properly handle differences, and be friends enjoying good-neighborliness and partners helping each other succeed,” Xu wrote in his X post.
The visit comes against the backdrop of the 2020 clash between Indian and Chinese troops in the Galwan Valley, which severely strained relations between the two countries. Relations have gradually improved since then, with Xi and Modi holding talks in Kazan and Tianjin.
China’s state-run news agency Xinhua reported that Xi had already departed Beijing. He is expected to reach New Delhi at 12:25 IST.
Xi is travelling with senior Chinese officials, including Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee, and Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Chinese foreign minister.
The Modi-Xi meeting is scheduled for 5:45pm on Saturday.
Earlier, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning also highlighted the leaders’ recent meetings during a media briefing, saying this would be their third consecutive annual meeting following their talks in Kazan and Tianjin.
“China will work with India to act on the strategic guidance of the two leaders, handle bilateral relations from a strategic height and long-term perspective, step up communication, enhance cooperation, properly handle differences, and be friends enjoying good-neighbourliness and partners helping each other succeed,” she said.
India is hosting the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on 12 and 13 September.
