Modi and Xi: A Diplomatic Dance at the BRICS Summit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping may meet at the BRICS Summit in Russia. Ahead of Modi's visit, Indian and Chinese officials reached an agreement on border patrolling. The summit will focus on enhancing multilateral cooperation for global development and peace.

Speculation mounts over a potential meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping as both leaders attend the BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia this week. The summit, scheduled to begin on Tuesday, brings together key leaders from Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, alongside newly admitted members Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.

In a pre-summit development, India's Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri announced that Indian and Chinese diplomats have struck a deal on patrolling protocols along the Line of Actual Control in eastern Ladakh. The move marks a significant step following the military standoff in the Galwan Valley in June 2020, which had severely strained diplomatic relations between the two nations.

China's Foreign Ministry withheld details on any sideline meetings, with spokesman Lin Jian affirming, "We will keep you posted if anything comes up." Mao Ning, another ministry spokesperson, confirmed President Xi's active participation in pivotal summit sessions, including dialogues and addresses that aim to usher in a new era of cooperation within the Global South.

(With inputs from agencies.)