PM Modi-Xi meeting: How the two leaders have managed to stay in touch despite serious border tensions

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese president Xi Jinping held bilateral talks on Wednesday on the sidelines of the Brics Summit in Russia, in their first structured meeting in the last five years.

The meeting took place two days after India and China firmed up an agreement on patrolling by their militaries along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh, in a major breakthrough to end the over four-year standoff.

Since PM Modi took office in 2014, he has met with Chinese president Xi Jinping at least 18 times. This includes both formal visits and informal meetings on the sidelines of international summits.

Key meetings between PM Modi and Xi Jinping

• Brics Summit in Fortaleza, Brazil (July 15-16, 2014): This was their first official meeting, where both leaders discussed enhancing cooperation across various sectors.
• Xi Jinping's State Visit to India (September 17, 2014): Xi became the first Chinese president in over six decades to visit India, focusing on trade and cultural ties while acknowledging ongoing border issues.
• PM Modi's visit to China (May 14-16, 2015): During this trip, PM Modi and Xi discussed bilateral relations amid rising tensions over issues like terrorism and India's NSG membership.
• G20 Summit in Hangzhou, China (September 4-5, 2016): The leaders met again, addressing concerns over terrorism and mutual respect for strategic interests.
• BRICS Summit in Goa (October 15-16, 2016): They held discussions on trade and terrorism, emphasizing the need for cooperation.
• SCO Summit in Astana, Kazakhstan (June 9, 2017): Amid a border standoff at Doklam, PM Modi called for better communication to prevent misunderstandings.
• G20 Summit in Hamburg, Germany (July 7, 2017): Another informal meeting occurred against the backdrop of the Doklam crisis.
• Brics Summit in Xiamen, China (September 5-6, 2017): This marked their first formal interaction post-Doklam standoff.
• Wuhan Informal Summit (April 26-27, 2018): A significant meeting aimed at stabilizing ties after previous tensions.
• SCO Summit in Qingdao (June 9, 2018): They reaffirmed commitments to manage border tensions peacefully.
• Mamallapuram Informal Summit (October 11-12, 2019): Another relaxed discussion that addressed various strategic issues despite ongoing border tensions.
• G20 Summit in Bali, Indonesia (November 15-16, 2022: They exchanged pleasantries during this summit; it was their first interaction since the Galwan clash in June 2020.
• Brics Summit in Johannesburg (August 22-24, 2023): They had a brief informal conversation here as well.
• BRICS Summit in Kazan (October 23, 2024): First formal bilateral engagement since the Galwan clash.

PM Modi has made five official visits to China since becoming Prime Minister — more than any previous Indian leader in recent history. These meetings have aimed to strengthen bilateral ties but have often been overshadowed by ongoing border disputes and security concerns.