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NATION SEPTEMBER 01, 2023 | The Indian Eye 8

Who called for a meeting?

Modi and Xi Jinping make right

sounds about peace on border

Indian sources dismiss the recent claim made by China saying the China-India talks on

the margins of the 15th BRICS Summit happened at the latter’s request

OUR BUREAU mit happened at the latter’s request.
A statement released by the Chinese
Johannesburg/New Delhi
foreign ministry stated, “President Xi
rime Minister Narendra Modi Jinping talked with Indian Prime Min-
had a conversation with Chi- ister Narendra Modi on the sidelines
Pnese President Xi Jinping on of the BRICS Summit at the latter’s
the sidelines of the BRICS Summit request on August 23, 2023”.
in which he highlighted India’s con- But Indian sources have said that
cerns at the unresolved issues along “there was a pending request from the
the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Chinese side for a bilateral meeting”.
Ladakh with the two leaders agreeing The sources also confirmed that “the
to direct their relevant officials “to two leaders, however, had an informal
intensify efforts at expeditious disen- conversation in the Leaders Lounge
gagement and de-escalation”. during the BRICS Summit”.
On Thursday, both leaders (PM The Chinese Foreign Ministry
Modi and Xi) greeted each other statement also added that the “two
ahead of the BRICS leaders’ brief- leaders had a candid and in-depth ex-
ing where they were seen interacting change of views on current China-In-
briefly on the stage. The relations dia relations and other questions
between New Delhi and Beijing have of shared interest and President Xi
been strained since the border stand- stressed that improving China-India
off for which talks have been going on. relations serves the common interests
India and China held the 19th round of the two countries and peoples, and
of Corps commander-level talks ear- is also conducive to peace, stability
lier this month at Chushul-Moldo on and development of the world and
the Indian side. the region”.
Addressing a press conference Chinese President Xi Jinping
on India’s participation at the 15th during a bilateral meeting with Prime
BRICS summit, Foreign Secretary Minister Narendra Modi, stressed
Vinay Mohan Kwatra said Prime Min- that improving China-India relations
ister Modi had interactions with other serves the common interests of the
BRICS leaders during the summit. two countries and people, said Chi-
He said PM Modi in his conversation nese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson
with the Chinese President underlined Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping engage in a brief interaction Wang Wenbin on Friday. The Chinese
that the maintenance of peace in the Foreign Ministry said the two leaders
border areas and observing and re- at the 15th BRICS Summit, in Johannesburg on Thursday (ANI) had a candid and in-depth exchange of
specting the LAC are essential for the views on current China-India relations
normalization of the India-China ties. relationship,” Kwatra said. and in-depth discussion on the resolu- and other questions of shared interest.
“Prime Minister had interactions “In this regard, the two leaders tion of the remaining issues along the “President Xi stressed that im-
with other BRICS leaders. In a con- agreed to direct their relevant offi- LAC in the Western Sector. proving China-India relations serves
versation with President Xi Jinping of cials to intensify efforts at expeditious There has been disengagement the common interests of the two
China, the Prime Minister highlight- disengagement and de-escalation,” from some friction points along LAC countries and peoples, and is also con-
ed India’s concerns on the unresolved he added. in eastern Ladakh following a stand- ducive to peace, stability and develop-
issues along the LAC in the western India and China held the 19th off between India and China in April ment of the world and the region. The
sector of the India-China border areas. round of Corps Commander Lev- 2020 due to the actions of the Chinese two sides should bear in mind the over-
Prime Minister underlined that the el talks earlier this month at the army. all interests of their bilateral relations
maintenance of peace and tranquility Chushul-Moldo meeting point on the Meanwhile, Indian sources have and handle properly the border issue
in the border areas and observing and Indian side. Ministry of External Af- dismissed the recent claim made by so as to jointly safeguard peace and
respecting the LAC are essential for fairs had said in a statement that the China saying the China-India talks on tranquility in the border region,” the
the normalization of the India-China two sides had a positive, constructive the margins of the 15th BRICS Sum- Foreign Ministry Spokesperson said.

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