PM Modi flags cross-border terrorism in talks with President Xi, calls for India-China cooperation

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday raised the issue of cross-border terrorism in his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, calling for cooperation between the two neighbours c.

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said terrorism was taken up as a “priority” during the talks. The discussions also centred on efforts to restore bilateral relations, which were badly hit by the four-year border standoff in eastern Ladakh that concluded with disengagement in October last year.

“We expect that the existing mechanisms, which is the working mechanism for coordination and cooperation in the border areas between India and China, will meet in the coming days and weeks and the respective leaders of this mechanism from the two sides will come to an understanding on how these mechanisms for the delimitation-related talks are going to go forward," he added.

”He did underline the fact that this is something that impacts both India and China, and that it’s important therefore that we extend understanding and extend support to each other,” Misri said at a media briefing.

”And I would say that we have received the understanding and cooperation of China as we have dealt with the issue of cross-border terrorism in the context of the ongoing SCO Summit,” he added.

Misri’s remarks are seen to be an indication that the SCO declaration may comprise some criticism or condemnation of cross-border terrorism emanating from Pakistan.

Pakistan has been an all weather ally of China and Beijing in the past had blocked New Delhi’s efforts to designate a number of Pakistan-based terrorists by the UN Security Council.

Misri said the two leaders also exchanged views jointly fighting terrorism.

Modi landed in China on Saturday on a two-day visit that came after a gap of seven years. He is in China to attend the annual summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).

With inputs from agencies