Kathmandu [Nepal], September 13 – Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi agreed on Saturday that China and India should be partners rather than rivals calling for greater cooperation to advance bilateral ties.
The two leaders held a candid and in-depth meeting on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi where they discussed bilateral relations, economic cooperation, border issues and multilateral coordination.
Xi said China had always viewed ties with India from a strategic and long-term perspective noting that bilateral relations had improved over the past two years. He said institutional exchanges had resumed, areas of cooperation had expanded and bilateral trade had reached a record high.
Xi urged both sides to strengthen economic and people-to-people exchanges, expand direct flights and address each other’s trade concerns. He also called for political wisdom and mutual understanding to maintain peace along the border.
Modi said India was willing to be a partner rather than a rival to China and viewed its development as an opportunity. He stressed that India’s ties with China were independent of any third party.
The two leaders also agreed to strengthen cooperation through BRICS, the United Nations, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the G20, while promoting greater coordination among Global South countries.
