India's Modi and China's Xi seek to reset ties on BRICS sidelines

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping met on Saturday on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in New Delhi, signaling a renewed effort to reset strained bilateral ties. The encounter occurred during a multilateral gathering that includes leaders from Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, and highlights New Delhi and Beijing’s willingness to engage directly rather than let disagreements over regional issues, trade, and border management drift unresolved. While no formal agreements were announced in connection with the BRICS meeting, officials described the discussions as part of ongoing diplomacy aimed at stabilizing communications between the two Asian powers and preventing further deterioration in relations. The talks come amid a broader push to keep channels open and to explore areas where cooperation may be possible, even as differences remain. Analysts note that双方, maintaining a balance between competition and cooperation, continue to manage tensions through dialogue at high and working levels. The BRICS summit itself continues with other leaders in attendance, underscoring the bloc’s role in shaping regional diplomacy. Modi and Xi have engaged in various diplomatic exchanges in recent months, reflecting sustained, though cautious, diplomacy between New Delhi and Beijing.