Leaders of India and China Reach Consensus: New Delhi and Beijing Should Be Partners, Not Rivals
Addis Ababa, September 13, 2026 (FMC) — Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping have agreed that India and China should view each other as partners rather than rivals, reaching a significant consensus on the future direction of bilateral relations during their meeting on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi.
According to China Central Television (CCTV), citing Xinhua, the two leaders held a candid and in-depth exchange of views on Saturday, discussing bilateral relations, cooperation within BRICS and their broader responsibilities as major members of the Global South.
Xi said China has consistently approached relations with India from a strategic and long-term perspective, noting that ties have moved from a new start toward further improvement over the past two years.
He said the progress should be valued and consolidated, stressing that despite differences in national conditions, the two countries can draw on each other’s strengths, support one another and pursue common development.
Xi identified development as the “greatest common denominator” between the two countries and called for expanded people-to-people exchanges, including direct flights, as well as efforts to address economic and trade concerns and sustain sound and stable bilateral economic relations.
On the border issue, Xi called for political wisdom grounded in mutual respect and understanding, saying the two sides should pursue progress in both bilateral relations and border matters while maintaining peace and tranquility in border areas.
Prime Minister Modi similarly said India is ready to regard China as a partner rather than a rival and to see China’s development as an opportunity rather than a challenge. He said India is prepared to strengthen high-level exchanges, strategic communication, mutually beneficial cooperation and people-to-people ties.
Modi also stressed that India’s relations with China are guided by a strategic and long-term perspective and that India’s independent foreign policy means its relations with China are not subject to any third party.
The two leaders further underscored the importance of enhancing cooperation within BRICS. Xi called for China and India to coordinate in multilateral platforms, including the United Nations, Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and G20, while supporting each other as the grouping’s rotating chairs.
Modi said India would fully support China’s BRICS chairmanship next year and expressed readiness to work with Beijing to strengthen Global South cooperation, promote a multipolar world and contribute to global economic growth.
The meeting comes as China-India relations show signs of improvement, with institutional exchanges resuming, cooperation expanding and bilateral trade reaching a new record high, according to Xinhua.