PM Modi, Xi conclude informal summit with promise to manage differences ‘prudently’

He added that there has been “increased stability” and “fresh momentum” in bilateral ties since the Wuhan summit in China last year. He said “strategic communication” has increased between the two sides.

Read | Top quotes from Modi-Xi summit here 

Xi said he and Modi had a “heart to heart discussion” on bilateral relations and that the summits were producing “visible progress” in India-China ties.

PM Modi received Xi Jinping at Taj Fishermaan’s Cove Saturday morning to hold delegation-level talks. (Source: Twitter/MEA)

He commended Modi for taking the initiative to hold these kind of summits, saying it was a “good idea”.

“What has happened has proved that we have made the right decision to have this kind of informal summits, and that we can continue with this form of meeting,” Xi told Modi. Read highlights on the Modi-Xi summit

He said the countries now have “deeper strategic communication”, “more effective practical cooperation” and that they now have “closer cooperation on multilateral occasions”.

India and China held delgation-level talks on Saturday. (Source: Twitter/MEA)

Modi also accepted an invitation from Xi to travel to China for their third informal summit.

Xi arrived in India on a two-visit Friday. On the first day, the two leaders spent “quality time” as they visited majestic monuments built by the Pallava Dynasty in the seventh century in Mahabalipuram. They attended a cultural performance and Modi held a dinner for the Chinese President.

Speaking to the media, Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale said the leaders’ one-on-one discussions were based on trade and terrorism. They resolved to work together in facing the challenges of radicalisation and terrorism and had “open and cordial” talks. Modi and Xi, helped by two interpreters, touched upon a range of issues.

Xi said he and Modi had a “heart to heart discussion” on bilateral relations and that the summits were producing “visible progress” in India-China ties. (Source: Twitter/MEA)

“Both leaders said they were large countries, and that radicalisation was a matter of concern to both. And that both would work together. The two leaders also discussed issues pertaining to the trade deficit and how to enhance the trade volume, and tried to identify areas of investments,” Gokhale said.

Gokhale said a new mechanism will be established between the countries to discuss trade, investment and services at an elevated level, which will be managed by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Vice-Premier of China.

The foreign secretary also said Xi invited Modi for the next summit that will be held in China, adding that the dates of the same will be worked out later.

The foreign secretary also said Xi invited Modi for the next summit that will be held in China, adding that the dates of the same will be worked out later. (Source: Twitter/MEA)

When asked if the issue of Jammu and Kashmir, regarding the abrogation of Article 370 was discussed by the two leaders, Gokhale denied stating that the issue was not raised and discussed by either. “Our position is anyway very clear that this is an internal matter of India,” he said.