Fortaleza, Brazil: Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Chinese President Xi Jinping here on Tuesday and pressed for a solution to the boundary issue, saying if the two sides could amicably resolve the vexed matter, it would set an example to the world on peaceful conflict resolution.
The two leaders, who arrived almost at the same time in this seaside Brazilian city on Monday evening to attend the Brics summit, engaged shortly thereafter for what was described as “good discussions and a good meeting”.
The meeting — the first between the two leaders — was scheduled for 40 minutes but it went on for 80 minutes as it was a freewheeling discussion without any constraints.
“Had a very fruitful meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. We discussed a wide range of issues,” Mr Modi tweeted after the meeting with Mr Xi, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China. “Both sides emphasised on the need to find a solution to the boundary question. The Prime Minister stressed the importance of strengthening mutual trust and confidence, and maintaining peace and tranquillity on the border,” said a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office.
Mr Modi told Mr Xi that “if India and China could amicably resolve the boundary question, it would set an example for the entire world on peaceful conflict resolution,” the statement added. Mr Xi said that China and India were partners not rivals.
