Chinese President Xi Jinping said China views its relationship with India from a “strategic and long-term perspective” as he and Prime Minister Narendra Modi agreed to maintain steady progress in bilateral ties. The two leaders met on Saturday on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in New Delhi and stressed that differences between the two countries should not turn into disputes.

According to a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), both leaders reaffirmed the need to take a “strategic and long-term perspective” of bilateral relations. “Differences should not become disputes,” the statement said. Modi stressed that the relationship must be guided by “mutual respect, mutual sensitivity and mutual interest”.

Xi’s India visit is his first in seven years. The two countries have been working to rebuild ties after relations came under strain following the 2020 military standoff in eastern Ladakh. Both sides have taken several steps in recent months to improve ties and maintain dialogue.

Modi told Xi that peace and tranquillity in the border areas remain essential for the continued development of bilateral relations. The two leaders also stressed the need to follow existing agreements and understandings on border matters. They reaffirmed their commitment to a “fair, reasonable, and mutually acceptable resolution” of the boundary question, keeping in view the broader bilateral relationship and the long-term interests of the people of both countries.

The leaders also noted progress in people-to-people ties and called for more cultural exchanges, stronger business links and greater mobility between India and China. On trade and economic relations, they stressed the need to address concerns over “structural trade imbalance and supply chain issues”. They also called for “meaningful and predictable market access”.

Xi said China and India could learn from each other’s strengths and work towards shared development. "China, India can learn from each other's strengths, achieve shared development," Jinping was quoted as saying by Xinhua. Modi and Xi also agreed to expand common ground on regional and global issues and work together to address shared challenges.

Modi appreciated China’s support for India’s BRICS chairmanship and its contribution to the success of the BRICS 2026 summit. The meeting came after recent high-level engagements, including Special Representative talks between National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing last month. The talks covered the boundary issue, transboundary cooperation and peace along the Line of Actual Control. The Special Representative mechanism, established in 2003, seeks a comprehensive solution to the boundary dispute.

Earlier, Xi described BRICS as the world’s most influential platform for cooperation among emerging markets and developing countries. He urged the grouping to play its “due role” in promoting peace in West Asia and the Gulf. He said China would work with BRICS members to support peace and stability in the region.

Xi also urged BRICS countries to oppose a Cold War mentality, violations of national sovereignty and interference in internal affairs. He called for stronger cooperation on artificial intelligence and urged members to take a leading role in global governance covering cyberspace, outer space and the deep sea. He also pushed for greater cooperation on innovation, peace, stability and mutual learning among civilisations while calling for a more just and equitable international order.

The 18th BRICS summit in New Delhi is being attended by leaders from Russia, Iran, South Africa, Malaysia, Indonesia, the UAE, Ethiopia, Egypt and Vietnam. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and heads of the WTO, WHO, New Development Bank and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank are also attending the summit.