Properly handle differences, be friends: China ahead of PM Modi-Xi talks at BRICS

China's Ambassador to India Xu Feihong said Beijing and New Delhi are arranging a Xi-Modi meeting, urging both sides to "properly handle differences", strengthen communication and cooperation, and be "friends enjoying good-neighbourliness" ahead of the BRICS summit.

In Short

• Xu Feihong said Beijing and New Delhi are arranging bilateral talks
• Xi's Delhi visit will be his first India trip in seven years
• Mao Ning urged more communication, cooperation and careful handling of differences

China's Ambassador to India Xu Feihong said Beijing and New Delhi are arranging a bilateral meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stressing that the two countries should "properly handle differences" and be "friends enjoying good-neighbourliness".

In a post on X, Xu said China would work with India to follow the strategic guidance of the two leaders, view bilateral relations from a strategic and long-term perspective, step up communication, enhance cooperation and properly handle differences.

"China will work with India to act on the strategic guidance of the two leaders, handle the bilateral relations from a strategic height and long-term perspective, step up communication, enhance cooperation, properly handle differences, and be friends enjoying good-neighborliness and partners helping each other succeed," Xu said.

THIRD STRAIGHT YEAR OF XI-MODI MEETING

Xu said the proposed meeting would mark the third consecutive year in which Xi and Modi meet, following their meetings in Kazan and Tianjin.

Xi is scheduled to arrive in New Delhi on Saturday to attend the 18th BRICS Summit and hold bilateral talks with Modi on the sidelines. The visit will be Xi's first trip to India in nearly seven years.

CHINA STRESSES COMMUNICATION, COOPERATION

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning also said Beijing was ready to work with India to act on the strategic guidance of the two leaders and handle bilateral relations from a strategic and long-term perspective.

Mao said the two countries should step up communication, enhance cooperation and properly handle their differences. She described China and India as "friends enjoying good neighbourliness and partners helping each other succeed".

The proposed talks come against the backdrop of efforts by India and China to maintain high-level engagement despite differences over bilateral issues.

BRICS SUMMIT AMID GLOBAL CONFLICTS

Mao also said China was ready to work with BRICS countries to settle disputes through dialogue and negotiation and contribute to peace and stability amid the Iran-US conflict and the Russia-Ukraine war.

She said BRICS had emerged as a key platform for emerging markets and developing countries and had become "a real force standing at the forefront of the Global South".

India, as the current chair of BRICS, is hosting the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on September 12 and 13.

Xi last visited India in 2019 for an informal summit with Modi in Mamallapuram near Chennai. He had earlier travelled to Goa for the BRICS summit in 2016 and made his first visit to India in September 2014.

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