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The recent meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in Russia has yielded significant progress in the relationship between the two nations. Chinese Ambassador Xu Feihong, during a visit to Kolkata, highlighted the "many important understandings" reached during the meeting, emphasizing that these understandings will serve as guidelines for future bilateral development. He expressed hope that the relationship would move forward smoothly despite past disagreements.
The ambassador acknowledged the natural existence of differences between neighboring countries, emphasizing the importance of handling and resolving these differences effectively. He pointed to the Modi-Xi meeting as a positive example of how such disagreements can be addressed. Ambassador Feihong's comments come on the heels of an announcement that India and China have reached a patrolling agreement for the Demchok and Depsang regions of Eastern Ladakh, areas that have been the subject of a long-standing territorial dispute.
The disengagement in these two areas has now been completed, paving the way for the resumption of patrolling activities. This development is a major step forward in easing tensions along the disputed border. The ambassador's remarks also touched upon the desire for resuming direct flights between India and China, a move that would facilitate travel and economic cooperation. He expressed his personal enthusiasm for the return of direct flights, emphasizing their potential to save time and money for both citizens and businesses.
Beyond the diplomatic sphere, the ambassador expressed his hope for smooth cooperation between India and China across a range of sectors, including business, education, science, and other fields. This broad vision for collaboration suggests a commitment to strengthening ties beyond the immediate issue of border disputes.
The developments outlined in the article represent a significant shift in the dynamic between India and China. The progress made towards resolving the border standoff, coupled with the emphasis on broader cooperation, signals a positive trajectory in the relationship. However, it remains to be seen how durable these understandings will prove to be and whether they will translate into lasting improvements in the overall relationship between the two Asian giants.
Source: "Important Understandings Reached": Chinese Ambassador On PM-Xi Jinping Meet