Modi meets Chinese Prez, calls for solution to border issue

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his delegation are in Fortaleza, Brazil, for the sixth BRICS summit. Modi met Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the summit, for the first time after assuming power.

The two discussed the contentious boundary issue with the PM pushing for a resolution of the dispute. Prime Minister Modi said that the border dispute is not a general issue and there are clear specifics which need to be discussed.

“The Prime Minister stressed the importance of strengthening mutual trust and confidence, and maintaining peace and tranquility on the border. He said that if India and China could amicably resolve the Boundary Question, it would set an example for the entire world, on peaceful conflict resolution,” a statement by the Prime Minister’s Office said.

Modi also called for both the sides to address terrorism in the area. He also suggested the addition of one more route for the Kailash-Mansarovar Yatra, keeping in view the terrain difficulties.

Modi has invited Xi Jingping to India and the Chinese President might visit in September. Xi Jinping has invited Modi for a bilateral meeting and Modi is likely to visit China in November.

“We take China’s invitation to the PM to the epic meeting in November as an important one. The dates have not yet been worked upon. It has been given a very serious due consideration,” Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said.

“This meeting holds a lot of importance during the BRICS summit. I am also very thankful to China for sending their envoy to India as soon as my Government was formed,” Modi said after the meeting.

China had last month released a new map showing Arunachal Pradesh as a part of it. This was the latest in a routine dispute between the two nations which have differing perceptions of the 3,488-km long Line of Actual Control. China also continues to give residents from Arunachal stapled visas.

The MEA, however, maintained that the northeastern state is a part of the Indian nation. The MEA had said, “Cartographic depiction doesn’t change facts. Arunachal Pradesh is an integral part of India and has already been raised at higher levels.”