India-China relationship: In a significant move, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping have come to an agreement over “expeditious de-escalation” along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), a region where tensions have been high since a violent clash in June 2020 in Galwan Valley, eastern Ladakh.

Both the leaders are in South Africa for BRICS Summit to discuss the sidelines of the BRICS Summit

The discussions between the two leaders resulted in a commitment to direct their respective officials to facilitate a rapid disengagement along the LAC. Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra provided insights into the conversation, stating that Prime Minister Modi emphasised India’s concerns regarding unresolved matters along the LAC and other regions along the India-China border.

#WATCH | Prime Minister @narendramodi held a conversation with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the margins of #BRICS Summit. PM Modi highlighted India's concerns over the situation at the LAC to Xi Jinping: Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra@PMOIndia @MEAIndia #BRICSSummit2023 pic.twitter.com/Z3RsR9ioeI

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— DD News (@DDNewslive) August 24, 2023

Kwatra said that Prime Minister Modi emphasised the normalisation of the India-China relationship and to maintain stability and peace in the border areas without affecting the LAC. The leaders agreed to guide their officials in intensifying efforts towards the quick disengagement and de-escalation of the situation.

Recently, the 19th round of discussions between the Indian and Chinese Corps Commanders took place at the Chushul-Moldo border meeting point on the Indian side from August 13-14. These discussions centred around resolving the remaining issues along the LAC in the western sector, and both sides engaged in constructive and thorough deliberations, reflecting the leadership’s guidance, the Foreign Ministry had said.

The BRICS Summit, hosted by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, also saw the participation of Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Russian President Vladimir Putin, who attended the meeting virtually.

In a joint declaration issued at the conclusion of the three-day summit, the leaders of the BRICS countries stressed the importance of promptly finalizing and adopting the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism under the United Nations framework.

The Ministry further said that Both the leaders exchanged their views and were hopeful for the resolution along the LAC.