PM Modi underlined need for peace and tranquillity in border areas to smooth India-China ties: FS Misri

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, emphasised that peace and tranquillity along the border are essential for the continued and smooth development of India-China relations, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said on Sunday.

“The boundary issue also figured in the discussions. Both leaders took note of the successful disengagement last year and the maintenance of peace and tranquillity in the border regions since then,” Misri told reporters.

“The Prime Minister underlined the need for peace and tranquillity on the border areas for continued and smooth development of bilateral relations. There was understanding on the need to maintain peace on the borders using the existing mechanisms and avoid disturbances to the overall relationship going forward.”

During the talks, Xi put forward four suggestions to further upgrade bilateral ties. These included strengthening strategic communication and deepening mutual trust, expanding exchanges and cooperation, achieving mutual benefit and win-win outcomes, accommodating each other’s concerns, and enhancing multilateral cooperation to safeguard common interests. Misri said all of these were responded to positively by the Prime Minister.

The meeting, held on the margins of the SCO summit in Tianjin comes against the backdrop of efforts by both sides to stabilise ties after years of border tensions.