Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday shook hands and had a conversation on a “range of issues” during the BRICS leaders’ informal meeting in Hamburg amid a stand-off between the armies of the two countries in the Sikkim section.
The conversation took place on the sidelines of the G20 Summit that began on Friday.
In a tweet, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Gopal Baglay said Mr. Modi and Mr. Xi discussed a range of issues.
“At d BRICS leaders’ informal gathering @ Hamburg hosted by China, PM @narendramodi and President Xi had a conversation on a range of issues,” the spokesperson tweeted.
The Ministry also tweeted a photograph of Mr. Modi and Mr. Xi shaking hands.
The meeting assumes significance as it comes a day after a top Chinese official said the “atmosphere” is “not right” for a bilateral meeting between Mr. Modi and Mr. Xi on the sidelines of the G20 Summit.
China and India have been engaged in a stand-off in the Dokalam area near the Bhutan tri-junction for the past three weeks after a Chinese Army’s construction party attempted to build a road. Doka La is the Indian name of the region which Bhutan recognises as Dokalam while China claims it as part of its Donglang region.
Concern over Gulf, Korean crisis
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said the geopolitical situation in the Gulf, West Asia and in the Korean Peninsula is a matter of concern as he asked BRICS nations to be a voice for stability, reform, progress and governance at the world stage.
During an informal gathering of BRICS leaders here hosted by the Chinese President on the sidelines of the G20 Summit, Mr. Modi said the ups and downs in the global politics and worsening security situation are affecting everyone.
“BRICS has to be a voice of stability, reform, progress and governance at the world stage,” he told the presidents from BRICS nations — Michel Temer (Brazil), Vladimir Putin (Russia), Xi Jinping (China) and Jacob Zuma (South Africa).
Mr. Modi said that the spread of terrorism is a threat for societies in Asia and Europe as he expressed concern over its increasing influence in the war-torn Afghanistan.
The West Asian region has been marred by conflict between Israel and Palestine and battle against the ISIS terror group, civil wars in Syria, Libya and Yemen. Millions of people have fled their homes in Iraq and Syria due to conflict.
In the Gulf, a group of Arab states including Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Bahrain has severed air, sea and ground links with Qatar, triggering a diplomatic crisis in the region where millions of Indians are working.
Saudi and its allies accuse Qatar of supporting terror groups and maintaining close relations with Iran. The crisis has raised concerns of growing instability in the region.
The Prime Minister also voiced concern over tensions in the Korean Peninsula, saying it is a matter of concern.
Mr. Modi’s remarks came in the backdrop of the US warning to North Korea that it would use military force in response to Pyongyang’s “reckless” launch of a ballistic missiles. The US also blasted China and Russia for “holding the hands” of the reclusive nation’s “vicious dictator” Kim Jong Un.
