The 16th BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia, is set to witness a crucial meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping. This bilateral meeting, scheduled for Wednesday, takes on immense significance as it comes just a day after India and China reached a landmark agreement to end the protracted military standoff in eastern Ladakh. The agreement marks a significant step towards easing tensions between the two Asian giants, which have been strained for over four years.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri confirmed the meeting, highlighting its importance in the context of the recent developments. The confirmation follows India’s announcement of a breakthrough in resolving the military standoff, with China subsequently affirming its commitment to the agreement.
In June 2020, a fierce clash in the Galwan Valley led to a severe deterioration in relations between India and China. The disengagement agreement is expected to pave the way for a normalization of ties and foster a more stable environment in the region.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Modi has also engaged in bilateral talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, expressing India’s support for a peaceful resolution to the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Modi reiterated India’s stance on peaceful conflict resolution and highlighted the country’s readiness to provide all possible cooperation in the future. He also congratulated Putin on Russia’s successful presidency of BRICS.
The BRICS Summit, a platform for cooperation between Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, is a crucial forum for addressing global issues. With India’s new consulate opening in Kazan, the summit also presents an opportunity to further strengthen ties between India and Russia.
Prime Minister Modi’s meeting with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on the margins of the BRICS summit further underscores India’s engagement with various international partners during this important event.