China has backed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s message on India’s strategic autonomy following his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi. Beijing highlighted Modi’s statement: “India’s relations with China are not influenced by any third country”, and that New Delhi will not allow anti-China activities from its territory.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun referred to Modi’s statement during his bilateral meeting with Xi. “China values Prime Minister Modi’s statements," Guo said while addressing the Modi-Xi meeting on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit.

The meeting marked Xi’s first bilateral visit to India in seven years. It was also the third interaction between the two leaders in three years. According to Guo, Modi said the development of India-China relations was “not affected by any third party". He also said India would not allow any force to carry out anti-China activities on Indian soil.

“As President Xi noted, China and India have different national realities. We should draw on each other’s strengths, support each other, help each other succeed, and develop together. To promote the steady and sustained development of China-India relations, both sides need to calibrate the direction with an objective and rational strategic perception, help each other succeed in the spirit of win-win cooperation, remove irritants with the political wisdom of mutual respect and mutual understanding, and contribute to a better world with open and inclusive multilateral coordination. Prime Minister Modi said that India has an independent foreign policy, developing relations with China is not affected by any third party and that it will not allow any force to engage in anti-China activities on its territory. China values Prime Minister Modi’s statements," said Guo.

Beijing said the meeting reaffirmed the direction of improving bilateral ties. Guo linked the progress to the resumption of engagement in Kazan, further developments in Tianjin and the latest meeting in New Delhi.

“The most important consensus reached is that China and India should be partners," Guo said. Xi stressed that the two countries have different national circumstances but should use each other’s strengths, support development and work together.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry said both sides agreed to properly manage disputes and disagreements to maintain peace and tranquillity along the border. The border dispute, however, remains a major issue between the two countries.

The leaders also agreed that development should remain central to bilateral ties. Beijing said India and China, as the world’s two most populous countries and major Global South members, should focus on economic development, friendly exchanges and mutually beneficial cooperation.

Trade and business concerns also figured in the talks. Guo said both countries should address each other’s economic and trade concerns in a balanced manner and support the “sound and steady development" of bilateral economic relations.

On reports that India’s Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) had recommended an investigation into Xiaomi, Guo said he was unaware of the specific case. He urged India to provide a “fair, just, transparent and non-discriminatory business environment" for companies investing and operating in the country.

China will chair BRICS next year and host the 19th BRICS Summit. Xi also proposed an open-source AI initiative, digital industry cooperation and intelligent manufacturing cooperation. China plans to establish a BRICS AI open-source community, create a BRICS digital ecosystem cloud platform and launch a youth programme focused on scientific and technological innovation.