Archive · 12 Sep 2026
Xi and Modi Discuss Border, Trade and India-China Ties
Chinese President Xi Jinping met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a BRICS meeting in India.
This was Xi’s first visit to India in seven years.
The two leaders talked about how their countries could cooperate more closely.
They discussed trade, investment and problems along their shared border.
India says the border must remain peaceful for other parts of the relationship to improve.
China has usually said the border disagreement should be handled separately from other ties.
Xi said the two countries can learn from each other and help one another.
Officials from both countries have also been holding talks about the border.
Chinese President Xi Jinping met Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the BRICS Summit in India.
Xi said China and India can learn from each other, support one another and pursue common development.
The leaders discussed reviewing bilateral relations, including border issues, trade and investment.
The disputed Line of Actual Control is expected to be central to discussions about improving relations.
India links broader ties to border peace, while China says the boundary dispute should be handled separately.
- Who
- Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with other officials involved in boundary talks.
- What
- The leaders held bilateral talks on India-China relations, including border issues, trade, investment and expanded cooperation.
- When
- During Xi Jinping’s two-day visit to India for the BRICS Summit; it was his first India visit in seven years.
- Where
- On the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in India.
- Why
- To review bilateral relations, address border concerns and consider measures to expand engagement.
India’s Position
China’s Position
Relationship and border issues
India’s Position
India says peace and tranquillity along the border are essential to progress in the broader bilateral relationship.
China’s Position
China has traditionally maintained that the boundary dispute should be dealt with separately from other aspects of bilateral ties.
Bilateral cooperation
India’s Position
India is seeking a comprehensive review of relations and possible new measures to expand engagement while addressing border concerns.
China’s Position
China emphasizes a strategic, long-term relationship in which both countries learn from each other, support one another and pursue common development.
- Meeting
- Xi Jinping and Narendra Modi held bilateral talks on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit.
- Xi’s visit
- The Chinese president made his first visit to India in seven years.
- Main topics
- Border issues, trade, investment and broader bilateral cooperation.
- Border dispute
- The Line of Actual Control is a disputed and often contested frontier.
- India’s position
- Peace and tranquillity on the border are essential to the wider relationship.
- China’s position
- China has traditionally maintained that the boundary dispute should be addressed separately from other ties.
- Recent official talks
- Ajit Doval and Wang Yi held Special Representative talks in Beijing late last month.
- Negotiation framework
- The Special Representative roles were established in 2003 to seek a solution to the 3,488-kilometre border dispute.