Wang Yi Says President Xi, PM Modi Reached “Important Consensus”, Should Work Together

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached what Beijing described as the “most important consensus” during their meeting on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in New Delhi, with both leaders agreeing that China and India should view each other as partners, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said. Wang, while summarising Xi’s two-day visit to India on September 12 and 13, said the two leaders held a candid and in-depth exchange of views on strategic, long-term and directional issues concerning bilateral relations. His remarks came after Xi attended the 18th BRICS Summit and held talks with Modi during his visit, signalling Beijing’s emphasis on improving ties between the two Asian neighbours.

According to Wang, the central understanding reached during the meeting was that China and India should be partners rather than rivals. He said Xi told Modi that the two countries could draw on each other’s strengths, support one another, help each other succeed and pursue common development. The comments reflect Beijing’s stated approach of seeking greater cooperation with India while emphasising shared interests and economic development. Wang said the discussions between Xi and Modi went beyond immediate issues and covered the broader direction of China-India relations, indicating that both sides were looking at the relationship from a longer-term strategic perspective.

The Chinese foreign minister also highlighted the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the border areas between the two countries. According to Wang, Xi and Modi agreed that China and India should jointly maintain peace and tranquillity along the border. The issue remains particularly significant for bilateral relations, given the long-running boundary dispute and the tensions that have affected ties in recent years. By placing border stability among the areas of agreement, Beijing has sought to underline the importance of preventing differences from disrupting the broader relationship. The emphasis on maintaining tranquillity could also provide space for the two sides to continue addressing their disagreements while pursuing cooperation in other areas.

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Wang further said China and India agreed to support each other as the two countries take turns chairing BRICS. India hosted the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, bringing together leaders of the grouping amid discussions on global economic and geopolitical issues. China is scheduled to take over the BRICS chairmanship after India’s tenure. According to Wang, cooperation between the two countries in their respective roles as rotating chairs would be important for the functioning of the grouping. The statement points to an area where Beijing sees scope for practical cooperation between the two countries despite differences that have complicated their bilateral relationship.

Xi’s visit to New Delhi on September 12 and 13 was centred on his participation in the BRICS summit, but his meeting with Modi received significant attention because of its implications for India-China relations. Wang described the leaders’ conversation as candid and in-depth, saying they exchanged views on strategic and long-term matters affecting the relationship. Xi’s message that China and India could support each other and pursue common development reflects Beijing’s preference for closer engagement. For India, managing relations with China involves balancing cooperation in areas of mutual interest with concerns linked to the border and other unresolved differences.

Wang Yi, who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, presented the meeting as an important step in defining the future direction of China-India ties. His remarks placed particular emphasis on partnership, mutual support, border peace and cooperation within BRICS. The two countries continue to have differences, but Beijing’s latest description of the Modi-Xi meeting indicates an effort to highlight areas of common ground. The emphasis on working together and supporting each other as BRICS chairs could provide another channel for engagement, while the agreement to maintain peace and tranquillity along the border remains central to creating a stable environment for broader bilateral cooperation.

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