Xi extends olive branch to Modi, calls for renewed India-China cooperation

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping held bilateral talks in New Delhi on Saturday, marking a significant diplomatic engagement amid ongoing efforts to improve ties between the two Asian powers. The meeting took place outside the formal BRICS summit schedule, underscoring the importance both nations place on direct dialogue.

During the discussions, Xi Jinping emphasized the need for India and China to collaborate on high-quality development initiatives under what he termed 'Greater BRICS cooperation.' The Chinese leader's comments suggest Beijing's willingness to move forward constructively in the relationship, despite lingering tensions from the 2020 military standoff in the Galwan Valley that left dozens dead and strained bilateral ties significantly.

The bilateral meeting represents a notable diplomatic development as both nations navigate their complex relationship within the broader BRICS framework, which also includes Brazil, Russia, and South Africa. The dialogue comes as regional and global powers seek to manage geopolitical tensions and explore avenues for mutual economic and developmental cooperation in South and Southeast Asia.