Modi and Xi seek to reset India-China ties on BRICS sidelines - Al Jazeera

**Modi and Xi Seek to Reset India‑China Relations on BRICS Sidelines**

*Johannesburg, South Africa* – On the sidelines of the BRICS summit, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping held a rare bilateral meeting that signaled a mutual desire to “reset” a relationship strained by border skirmishes and geopolitical rivalry. The encounter, reported by Al Jazeera, took place amid a packed agenda of multilateral sessions and was one of the few high‑level contacts between the two leaders since the deadly Galwan Valley clash of 2020. Both men emerged from the talks with a public‑facing commitment to revive dialogue and reduce tensions along their long, contested frontier.

During their discussion, Modi underscored that “peace on the border is essential for the development of our ties,” echoing remarks he made earlier to a Chinese delegation, as covered by NDTV. Xi, in turn, highlighted three guiding principles – mutual respect for sovereignty, non‑interference in internal affairs, and a win‑win approach to cooperation – which Modi later described as the “three mutuals” that must steer the partnership. The two leaders also identified specific areas for collaboration, ranging from trade and renewable‑energy projects to coordination within the BRICS framework, a point emphasized by the *Times of India*. Their willingness to explore cooperation came despite the fact that both skipped the BRICS gala dinner, an omission noted by *Rediff* and interpreted as a signal that bilateral talks took precedence over ceremonial duties.

Analysts view the meeting as a cautious but important step toward de‑escalating a frontier that has repeatedly threatened regional stability. By placing the bilateral dialogue within the broader BRICS context, both India and China appear intent on leveraging the grouping’s economic clout while managing their strategic competition. The next phase will likely involve confidence‑building measures, renewed military talks, and possible high‑level economic missions, all aimed at translating the diplomatic overtures into tangible outcomes for both nations and the wider Asian landscape.

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