Chinese envoy: Modi, Xi agreed to bring ties back to track of steady progress

Days after a pact was finalised for troop withdrawal in eastern Ladakh, PM Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks in Kazan on October 23 on the margins of the BRICS summit. Referring to the meeting, Xu said, “They (the leaders) agreed to view and handle China-India relations from a strategic height and long-term perspective, prevent specific disagreements from affecting the overall relationship, strengthen strategic communication, enhance strategic mutual trust, ensure peace and tranquility in the border areas, and bring the relationship back to the track of sound and steady development at an early date.”

“I hope the young people can maintain an open and rational mindset, and not be trapped in the ‘information cocoon’ or misled by negative perspectives.”

Without naming the West, Xu said, “Certain forces, who are unwilling to see the friendly coexistence of our two countries, are trying to sow discord between us. They exaggerate the so-called ‘China threat’ and ‘China crash’ fallacies, and claim that China does not want India to develop and it is difficult for us to become partners”.

“China-India relationship is one of the most important bilateral relationships in the world. A sound and stable China-India relationship meets the expectations of the two peoples and the international community,” he said.

He also said that the 23rd Special Representatives’ meeting and Vice Foreign Minister-Foreign Secretary Dialogue produced a series of common understandings on the boundary question and practical cooperation.

NSA Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held the 23rd Special Representative dialogue in Beijing on December 18 last year.