India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping held their first formal talks in five years on Wednesday, marking a significant step towards mending relations between the two neighbouring nations. The meeting, which took place amid ongoing geopolitical tensions, signals a potential thaw in ties that had deteriorated following the deadly military clash in 2020 along their disputed Himalayan border. This skirmish, which occurred in the Galwan Valley, claimed the lives of soldiers on both sides and triggered a prolonged diplomatic freeze, affecting trade, bilateral talks, and military cooperation.

Both leaders emphasized the importance of stability and peace in the region, expressing a mutual desire to resolve outstanding issues and improve diplomatic engagement. The discussions focused on building trust, easing military tensions, and exploring areas of potential cooperation in trade and global governance. While concrete outcomes from the talks remain unclear, the renewed dialogue is seen as a positive development in reducing hostility between the two Asian giants and ensuring a more stable regional environment.