'India-China Can Learn From Each Other's Strengths, Support One Another': Xi At Bilateral Meet With PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday met Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit, being held at New Delhi's Bharat Mandapam. The much-awaited meeting between the two leaders focused on border issues, trade and investment.

During the bilateral meeting with PM Modi, Chinese President Xi Jinping said that both countries can "fully learn" from each other's strengths and support one another. Jinping arrived in New Delhi on Saturday for his first visit to India in seven years.

Prime Minister Modi expressed his gratitude for the support and cooperation received from China during India's BRICS chairmanship. "It gives me great pleasure to extend a warm welcome to you. Thank you very much for your positive remarks at the BRICS Summit. We now have the opportunity to discuss bilateral cooperation. Once again, a warm welcome to India," PM Modi said.

PM Modi emphasized that peace and tranquility in the border areas remain an essential basis for the continued development of bilateral relations. He underlined the need for both sides to observe existing agreements and understandings on border-related issues.

The two leaders expressed commitment to a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable resolution of the boundary question proceeding from the political perspective of their overall bilateral relations and the long-term interests of the two peoples.

Chinese President stated that he received the invitation to visit India on his birthday -- June 15 -- and added that in their 21 meetings over the years, he and PM Modi have "guided India-China relations onto a path of steady development."

"On my birthday, I received the invitation to visit your hometown. We have met 21 times and reached a series of important consensuses, which have guided China-India relations onto a path of steady development," Xi Jinping said, adding, "China has always viewed and developed its relations with India from a strategic and long-term perspective."

The Chinese President added that although our two countries have different national conditions, we can fully learn from each other's strengths, support one another, achieve success together, and pursue common development."

"In the face of the profound changes unseen in a century and the unprecedented pandemic situation, China and India, as the world's two most populous countries and important members of the Global South, shoulder significant responsibilities. Both sides should keep the future of humanity in mind and care for the well-being of our peoples, working together to play the role of major countries," he added.

"We should advocate an equal and orderly multipolar world, not privatise our own interests, and contribute more positive energy to world peace, stability, development, and prosperity."