Exclusive: On the table for Xi-Modi meet, a strategic economic dialogue - The Indian Express

**Strategic Economic Dialogue Tops Agenda at Xi‑Modi Summit**

New Delhi and Beijing are set to host a high‑profile encounter between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping, marking the first visit by a Chinese head of state to India in seven years. The meeting, scheduled for later this week, comes amid a “24‑hour blitz” of diplomatic activity orchestrated by Xi’s team, aimed at resetting a relationship that has been strained by border stand‑offs and trade imbalances. Both leaders will convene at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, where officials from the ministries of commerce, external affairs, and finance will sit down for a **strategic economic dialogue** that seeks to revive a stalled commercial partnership.

Key items on the docket include the revival of bilateral trade, which fell to a historic low of roughly $65 billion last year, and the resolution of lingering border disputes along the Line of Actual Control. Sources close to the negotiations say the dialogue will focus on expanding market access for Indian pharmaceuticals, information‑technology services, and renewable‑energy equipment, while China is expected to push for greater Indian participation in its Belt and Road initiatives. Parallel to these economic talks, senior security officials will address confidence‑building measures to prevent accidental escalations along the contested frontier, a step that both capitals deem essential for sustaining any long‑term economic engagement.

Analysts caution that deep‑seated mistrust will temper expectations. While Beijing portrays the visit as a diplomatic thaw, Indian officials remain wary of “strategic dependencies” and have signaled the need for transparent, reciprocal trade rules. The outcome of the strategic economic dialogue could reshape supply‑chain linkages in South Asia, but any breakthroughs will likely be incremental, reflecting a cautious approach by both sides as they navigate competing geopolitical interests. The summit therefore stands as a litmus test for whether commercial pragmatism can outweigh lingering security concerns in the Indo‑Chinese relationship.