Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, September 1: In a rare moment of personal diplomacy between India and China, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping shared a brief handshake ahead of the family photograph during the 26th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit.
With the world’s cameras flashing at Bishkek’s Yrys Ordo Congress Hall, the interaction between the Indian and Chinese leaders also included Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The development comes after Prime Minister Narendra Modi invited Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2025 to attend the BRICS Summit that India will host later this month. Xi thanked Modi for the invitation and offered China’s support for India’s BRICS presidency.
Meanwhile, speaking about the prospects for further engagement between India and China, China Global Television Network (CGTN) journalist Zhao Yunfei said Tuesday that the two countries should use multilateral platforms such as the SCO and BRICS to strengthen engagement and pursue common interests.
Zhao spoke about India-China ties and the upcoming BRICS Summit in India, saying the two multilateral platforms could provide opportunities for Modi and Xi to meet and engage.
“I think it has created multiple occasions for the two presidents to get a chance to meet. This would be really good for the relationship between China and India because we are neighbouring countries. China has always attached importance to its neighbours because we are neighbours, and then we have to settle all the differences as well as pursue the common ground all together to pursue the common wealth of the people in the region,” Zhao said.
“So, the SCO has really provided a platform; hopefully, BRICS will also provide a good platform for both sides,” he added.
Asked about the expected confirmation of Xi’s participation in the 2026 BRICS Summit in India, Zhao said he did not have specific information about the Chinese leader’s agenda.
“We don’t have that knowledge, but we expect there will be more information on President Xi’s agenda coming along. And of course, BRICS is also very, very important because BRICS members are emerging economies of the entire world. It has created a great platform, especially for Global South countries, especially from an economic perspective in cooperation,” he added.
Earlier, on August 26, India and China agreed to two additional meeting points for holding General Level Mechanism or Senior Highest Military Commander (SHMC) meetings aimed at improving border management measures.
The two countries also agreed to establish two additional channels for military hotlines in the Eastern and Middle Sectors.
The agreements were among the “Eight Points of Outcomes and Consensus” reached during the 25th round of talks between the Special Representatives of India and China on the boundary question.
National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi co-chaired the 25th round of the Special Representatives’ talks in Beijing.
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