India-China ties must be anchored by 'three mutuals': MEA after Modi-Xi talks

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal. File pic

Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal on Tuesday provided updates on key diplomatic developments, including the bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi.

During the bi-weekly media briefing, Jaiswal reiterated that bilateral ties must be anchored by the "three mutuals": mutual respect, mutual interest and mutual sensitivity. He was speaking about Prime Minister Narendra Modi raising core Indian concerns during his meeting with Xi Jinping at the summit.

"Prime Minister referred to Indian concerns as well and underlined that both sides should show sensitivity to each other's core concerns and be guided by the 'three mutuals': mutual respect, mutual interest, and mutual sensitivity," the spokesperson added.

Prime Minister Modi also reaffirmed that peace and tranquillity on the border remain essential for sustained progress in bilateral relations and stressed the need to respect existing agreements.

The MEA's formal statement released following the bilateral talks said, "Prime Minister emphasised that peace and tranquillity in the border areas remain an essential basis for the continued development of bilateral relations," while stressing "the need for both sides to observe existing agreements and understandings on border-related issues."

Both sides expressed their commitment to resolving the boundary question from a strategic, long-term political perspective and achieving a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable outcome.

The MEA said "the two leaders agreed that both sides must continue to expand common ground on regional and global issues, and in addressing challenges," while maintaining New Delhi's independent foreign policy approach.

On the boundary question, the MEA said India's position remains focused on constructive, long-term diplomatic channels. Both leaders expressed "commitment to a fair, reasonable, and mutually acceptable resolution of the boundary question proceeding from the political perspective of their overall bilateral relations and the long-term interests of the two peoples."

Beijing's statement on India-China bilateral talks

Beijing's statement described the two nations as "partners rather than rivals", while the Chinese readout said India reiterated its positions on Taiwan and Tibet and would not allow anti-China activities on its territory.

The Chinese readout of the talks also referred to India's foreign policy orientation and positions on Taiwan and Tibet, noting that "it will not allow any force to engage in anti-China activities on its territory."

The 18th BRICS Summit was held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi under the theme "Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability". The summit concluded with the adoption of the New Delhi Declaration 2026, which addressed global geopolitical conflicts, including tensions in West Asia.

(With ANI inputs)