Possible Xi-Modi meeting in Bishkek may shape China’s plans for Delhi summit
New Delhi: China on Wednesday announced that President Xi Jinping would attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on August 31 and September 1, even as suspense continued over his participation in next month’s BRICS Summit in New Delhi.
There is also a possibility of a bilateral meeting between President Xi and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the Bishkek summit. Such a meeting could set the stage for an official announcement by Beijing on Xi’s plans for the India-hosted BRICS Summit.
Media reports citing the Chinese foreign ministry said Xi would visit Kyrgyzstan and Egypt from August 30 to September 3. He will attend the SCO Summit as part of a state visit to Kyrgyzstan before travelling to Egypt.
At the Bishkek summit, Xi will discuss ways to deepen cooperation and exchange views on major international and regional issues with participating leaders, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian was quoted as saying.
A recent Reuters report indicated that Xi could also visit New Delhi for the BRICS Summit next month at the head of a 400-member official delegation. It said Chinese officials in Delhi were examining hotels and security protocols for the possible visit.
On Tuesday, National Security Adviser and special representative Ajit Doval and Chinese foreign minister and special representative Wang Yi held a “candid and in-depth exchange of views in a constructive and forward-looking spirit” at the 25th Special Representatives’ Meeting on the India-China boundary question in Beijing.
According to the Chinese side, Wang told Doval that China was ready to work with India to approach bilateral relations from a strategic and long-term perspective, strengthen communication, improve mutual understanding, resolve differences and overcome obstacles.
He also called on the two countries to become “good neighbours and friends of amity as well as partners for mutual success” and realise the “dance of the dragon and the elephant”. China uses the dragon and elephant as metaphors for the two countries.
