In an unexpected move, China has asserted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping reached a “consensus” during their meeting in Bali, Indonesia, last year. This marks the first time that either side has suggested any significant conversation took place during the Bali meeting, which was previously downplayed as a mere “exchange of courtesy” by India.
The claim surfaced in a statement issued by China’s Foreign Ministry following a meeting between National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval and his Chinese counterpart, Director of the Central Foreign Affairs Commission of the Communist Party of China, Wang Yi. The meeting took place in Johannesburg, where both advisers were attending the BRICS meeting of NSAs.
China’s assertion of a “consensus” between Modi and Xi comes amidst an ongoing military stand-off between the Indian Army and the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) in eastern Ladakh. However, Beijing appears to have sought to downplay the tensions in the official press-release issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The meeting in Bali last year was held during a dinner between the two leaders and had initially been described by India as an informal interaction involving pleasantries. However, China’s recent statement suggests that more substantial discussions and agreements may have taken place during the gathering.
Furthermore, the appointment of Mr. Wang as China’s Foreign Minister once again indicates the importance China attaches to restoring bilateral ties with India. His reappointment came after his successor, Qin Gang, was removed from the post.
The situation in eastern Ladakh remains a point of concern for both countries and the international community. Tensions between India and China escalated in the region over territorial disputes, leading to heightened military activities and troop deployments.
As the situation continues to evolve, the claim of a “consensus” reached during the Bali meeting could have significant implications for India-China relations. However, it remains to be seen how both countries will navigate their differences and work towards resolving the ongoing military stand-off in the border region. The international community will closely monitor the developments, hoping for a peaceful resolution and de-escalation of tensions between the two Asian giants.
