China and India Pledge to Resolve Border Differences, Bolster Cooperation

Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi have pledged to resolve their border differences and bolster co-operation, ahead of the opening of a regional summit in Tianjin. Mr Modi is on his first visit to China since relations between the two countries deteriorated after Chinese and Indian soldiers engaged in deadly border clashes in 2020. He is visiting as part of India's membership into the Shanghai Co-operation Organisation, a regional political, economic and security group founded by China. The two leaders expressed a desire to move forward and prioritize economic development, with Mr Xi stating that the border issue should not define the overall China-India relationship.

Key Takeaways:

• Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi have pledged to resolve their border differences and bolster co-operation.
• Mr Modi is on his first visit to China since relations between the two countries deteriorated after deadly border clashes in 2020.
• The two leaders expressed a desire to move forward and prioritize economic development.
• China and India have increased official visits and discussed easing some restrictions on trade and the movement of people across the border.
• In June, Beijing allowed pilgrims from India to visit holy sites in Tibet.
• Russia's Vladimir Putin was also scheduled to meet with both leaders in the coming days.
• China's top diplomat Wang Yi visited New Delhi earlier in August, as the two sides announced their rapprochement.
• China and India discussed easing some restrictions on trade and the movement of people across the border.
• The two countries agreed to a ceasefire after a period of heightened tensions and military action.

Statistics:

• 50%: US President Donald Trump's decision to impose tariffs on India for its purchase of Russian oil.
• 22: The number of people killed in the Indian-controlled portion of Kashmir.
• 19: The number of people killed in India's firing against Pakistan-controlled territory.
• 38: The number of people wounded after India fired missiles across the border into Pakistan-controlled territory.
• 6: The number of locations in Pakistan-controlled territory hit by Indian missiles overnight.
• 13: The number of people killed, including a child, in a strike on the Subhan Mosque in the city of Bahawalpur in Punjab.
• 1: The location where a strike hit a site previously tied to banned militant groups.

Sources:

• scotsman.com
• CCTV (state broadcaster of the People's Republic of China)
• Wu, Huizhong. "Modi and Xi pledge to resolve border differences" scotsman.com, September 15, 2022