New Delhi: The much-awaited meeting of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping concluded in the Russian city of Kazan late Wednesday evening. This was the first bilateral representative level meeting of the two leaders since November 2019 in which the current situation of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) between India and China was reviewed.

Agree on a new beginning

The 21 October agreement to end tensions along the LAC in eastern Ladakh was welcomed and a fresh start was reached to make bilateral relations peaceful and stable by ending the tensions that had arisen due to the intrusion of Chinese troops in Galwan (eastern Ladakh) in April 2020.

Relations between India and China are important not only for our people. Our relations are also important for global peace and stability. The consensus reached on the issues that have arisen on the border in the last four years is welcome. Maintaining peace and stability on the border should be our priority. Mutual trust, respect and taking care of sensitivities should be the dimension of our relations. (Prime Minister Narendra Modi)

Talks between officials begin

Modi and Xi Jinping directed to restart the Special Representative level talks between the two countries, which were suspended for five years, to resolve the border dispute. It was also decided that talks will be started between foreign ministers and other concerned officials to establish peace on the border and normalize other aspects of bilateral relations. This will also include the reopening of Kailash Mansarovar for Indian pilgrims.

Doval and Wang Yi will meet soon

India is led by National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and China is represented by its Foreign Minister Wang Yi in this dialogue. This dialogue started in the year 2003 so that both the countries can find a permanent and stable solution to the border dispute. Its last meeting was held in December 2019. Misri expressed hope that after the new instructions, their meeting will be held soon.

Earlier, talks were being held at 23 levels

The Indian Foreign Ministry said that a dialogue system would also be initiated at the level of foreign ministers and other officials to stabilize and renew bilateral relations.

It is worth noting that before the tension in relations due to the intrusion of Chinese soldiers in eastern Ladakh in April 2020, different types of talks were going on between India and China at 23 levels led by ministers and officials.

In these, discussions were held on various areas affecting the common people of both the countries ranging from economic, social, health, science and technology.

All these are closed. The Foreign Ministry also said that both the leaders believe that stable, friendly bilateral relations between two neighbours like India and China and the two largest countries in the world will have a positive impact not only on regional level but also on global peace and prosperity.

This is necessary to create a multi-polar Asia and a multi-polar world. Both leaders also believe that India-China relations need to be viewed from a strategic and long-term perspective and there is a need to increase cooperation to deal with development related challenges.

Now trust will also increase: Foreign Secretary

When Foreign Secretary Misri was asked whether the meeting has normalised the relations between India and China, he replied, "I can only say that the agreement that was reached recently has started the process of normalising relations. The path is now open. There is a need to walk on the path. I hope that the trust between us will also increase now." When he was asked whether Kailash Mansarovar will be opened for Indian pilgrims, Misri replied, "To increase mutual trust, both the leaders have clearly instructed the officials, I am sure that this matter will also be on the agenda."