Introduction
The BRICS Summit commenced in Johannesburg, bringing together the leaders of Brazil, China, Russia, India, and South Africa. This marks the first in-person BRICS summit since 2019, as the previous years were held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Amidst the summit’s proceedings, there is a buzz surrounding a possible bilateral meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra commented that the schedule for such a meeting is still in development, emphasizing India’s positive intent and open-mindedness toward BRICS expansion.
In his departure for the summit, Prime Minister Modi expressed the importance of the event in identifying future areas of cooperation among BRICS members. He highlighted BRICS as a significant platform for discussions on global South concerns and cooperation.
The backdrop of the summit is the ongoing standoff between Indian and Chinese troops in eastern Ladakh for over three years. Diplomatic and military dialogues have led to disengagement in certain friction points, with recent high-level talks being termed as “positive, constructive, and in-depth.”
Recent efforts to defuse tensions include National Security Advisor Ajit Doval’s meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on the sidelines of a BRICS meeting in Johannesburg. The importance of resolving the border situation and restoring peace and tranquillity in the region was emphasized during the meeting.
Relations strained during Galwan Valley Clash
The India-China relationship has faced strains following a serious clash in the Galwan Valley in June 2020. Disengagement efforts have been underway since then, particularly in the Pangong lake and Gogra area.
BRICS represents 40% of the world’s population across three continents, with varying levels of economic growth. The member countries share a collective desire for a global order that aligns better with their interests and growing influence.
Conclusion
If the anticipated bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Modi and President Xi Jinping occurs, it would be their first direct interaction since the India-China border standoff began in May 2020. Their previous meeting took place at the G20 dinner hosted by Indonesian President Joko Widodo in November of the same year.
