Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
Prime Minister Narendra Modi briefly broke from his opening remarks at the BRICS Summit after noticing that Chinese President Xi Jinping seemingly appeared uncomfortable. The Prime Minister paused and turned toward Xi, who made his first visit to India in seven years, after a commotion caught his attention.
“Is he okay?” PM Modi asked the translator accompanying the Chinese President. He repeated the question moments later. It was, however, not immediately clear what had caused Xi’s apparent discomfort. After a few seconds, Xi nodded in response, following which PM Modi resumed his speech.
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The moment was captured in footage shared by Doordarshan. The brief incident occurred between the 4.40 and 5.11-minute mark of PM Modi’s opening remarks.
PM MODI-XI JINPING BOMHOMIE ON SHOW
While it might be a small incident, it was a telling moment of bonhomie between the two leaders. It appeared to reflect PM Modi’s personal concern for the Chinese President at a time when both nations are looking to reset ties and move on from border disputes.
There has been no official reaction from China on what might be behind Xi’s apparent discomfort. Later in the day, the Chinese President skipped the gala dinner hosted by PM Modi for leaders of the BRICS nations.
While Xi attended the bilateral talks with PM Modi, his absence at the dinner sparked intrigue and curiosity. While there was no official statement from either China or India, a source suggested that Xi was tired and returned to his hotel to rest.
It was a hectic day for the Chinese President, who left China early Saturday morning and reached Delhi around noon. The summit began around 2 pm, following which he held a bilateral meeting with PM Modi. The packed schedule left him with little time to recuperate from the journey.
While Xi’s visit was short, it nonetheless provided several moments of camaraderie between him and PM Modi.
VIRAL MODI-XI MOMENTS FROM BRICS SUMMIT
Before the summit began, Xi was accorded a warm welcome by PM Modi at the Bharat Mandapam. The two leaders shook hands in front of a projection showing the iconic 1,212-pillar corridor from Tamil Nadu’s Ramanathswamy temple. PM Modi was then seen explaining to Xi the significance and the architecture of the corridor.
While it is unclear why the backdrop of the Ramanathswamy temple was chosen, it must be noted that Tamil Nadu was the state where PM Modi and Xi last met in India in October 2019. Perhaps, PM Modi thought a bit of nostalgia would help to revive memories of their earlier bonhomie and the warmth that was seen during their Mamallapuram summit.
Following it, the border dispute in eastern Ladakh and the subsequent clash between soldiers of the two nations in Galwan deteriorated ties.
However, relations have been on an upswing since 2024. India and China have resumed direct flights, and New Delhi has also relaxed rules around Chinese investment.
Later in the day, PM Modi and Xi were also seen sharing a long handshake at the Bharat Mandapam. The prolonged handshake, mutual smiles, and sustained eye contact signalled warmth between the leaders.
Another striking moment from the BRICS Summit was the Modi-Putin-Xi huddle, evoking memories of the trio’s much-publicised viral photo on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Tianjin last year.
Another photo showed PM Modi holding hands with Putin and Xi – a powerful symbol of their bond amid a fractured world order. Another most talked-about moments from Day 1 of the summit was a frame that showed the three leaders chatting casually and smiling together.
BORDER ISSUE REMAINS STICKING POINT
However, beyond the smiles and visible camaraderie, the border issue between India and China hung over the Modi-Xi bilateral meeting.
The two leaders affirmed that both countries should take a strategic and long-term view of their ties and that “differences should not become disputes”.
However, the statements released by India and China after the bilateral differed in wording on the border issue.
As per the Indian readout, PM Modi emphasised that peace and tranquillity in the border areas remained an “essential basis” for the continued development of bilateral relations.
However, China called on both sides to advance bilateral ties and address the border question at the same time.
The Chinese readout said the countries should seek “parallel, mutually reinforcing progress” on the two fronts while maintaining peace in the border.
– Ends
SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
