India | China PM Modi, Xi Jinping meet on sidelines of BRICS, agree on 'expeditious de-escalation' in Ladakh
New Delhi/IBNS: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping met on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in South Africa where both leaders agreed to work for "expeditious de-escalation" along the entire Line of Actual Control (LAC), that witnessed tensions since the violent face-off in June 2020 in eastern Ladakh's Galwan Valley.
The two leaders agreed to direct relevant officials in their countries for expeditious disengagement along the LAC.
"It was a conversation with President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit. Prime Minister had interaction with other BRICS leaders. In the conversation with President Xi Jinping, the Prime Minister highlighted India's concerns over unresolved issues along the LAC and other areas along the India-China border," Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra told reporters on Thursday.
Kwatra said PM Modi stressed the maintenance of peace and tranquility in border areas, and that respecting the LAC is essential for the normalisation of the Indo-China relationship.
"In this regard, the two leaders agreed to direct their relevant officials to intensify efforts at expeditious disengagement and de-escalation," the Foreign Secretary said.
The 19th round of the India-China Corps Commander-level meeting was held at the Chushul-Moldo border meeting point on the Indian side on August 13-14.
The two sides had a positive, constructive, and in-depth discussion on the resolution of the remaining issues along the LAC in the western sector, the Foreign Ministry had said.
Meanwhile, PM Modi wrapped up his visit to South Africa and left for his next destination in Greece on Thursday.
PM @narendramodi wraps up a fruitful visit to South Africa that launched a new chapter in the BRICS journey.
— Arindam Bagchi (@MEAIndia) August 24, 2023
PM now emplanes for Greece for engagements with an important Mediterranean partner. pic.twitter.com/2IM1ZyHvWY
The BRICS Summit was chaired by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva also attended, while Russian President Vladimir Putin joined it through video conference.
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