China: Cautious Beijing parries query about Modi-Xi talks during BRICS Summit
Virendra Pandit
New Delhi: China’s Foreign Ministry on Monday parried questions on a possible meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the two-day BRICS Summit beginning in Russia on Tuesday.
“We will keep you posted if anything comes up,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said while replying to a question at a media briefing in the Chinese capital.
The theme of this year’s BRICS Summit is “Strengthening Multilateralism For A Just Global Development And Security.”
China last Friday announced that President Xi Jinping will attend the BRICS Summit in Russia, where he will work with other parties to open a new era for the Global South to seek strength through solidarity.
Both Modi and Xi are attending the BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia, which begins Tuesday.
Ahead of PM Modi’s visit to Kazan, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said in New Delhi on Monday that Indian and Chinese negotiators have reached an agreement on patrolling along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh.
However, there was no reaction in Beijing to the agreement announced by Misri.
Russian President Vladimir Putin is believed to be helping the two countries break the ice.
The ties between India and China nosedived following the fierce clash in the Galwan Valley in June 2020 that marked the most serious military conflict between the two sides in decades. Since then, the two countries have held several rounds of talks to reduce tension and resume normal bilateral relations.
BRICS originally consisted of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. Later, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates were admitted as new members.
China said that Xi will attend small-group and large-group meetings, BRICS Plus Dialogue, and deliver important addresses.
He will also have in-depth exchanges with other leaders on the international landscape, the BRICS practical cooperation, the development of the BRICS mechanism, and important issues of mutual interest.
“China stands ready to work with other parties to strive for the steady and sustained development of greater BRICS cooperation, open a new era for the Global South to seek strength through solidarity and jointly promote world peace and development.”
