Even while the Sino-Indian relations are reeling under the stress of an extended diplomatic chill, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping managed to find something praiseworthy to say about each other after the meeting of BRICS members on the sidelines of the G20 meet in Hamburg.
During the meet, the five leaders discussed preparations and priorities for the upcoming BRICS summit in Xiamen, China. Modi appreciated the momentum that the BRICS had gained under the chairmanship of President Jinping and extended "full cooperation and best wishes for the forthcoming summit".
Jinping, who concluded the meeting immediately after Modi's statement, appreciated the success of the 2016 Goa summit and India's strong resolve against terrorism. He also appreciated India's development in economic and social sectors.
No bilateral talks were planned, but observers are hopeful that one of them could initiate an impromptu pull-aside. Even if there is no tete-a-tete between the two in Hamburg, a peaceful solution is not off the table. There will be ample opportunities for interaction. The ninth BRICS summit in Xiamen is scheduled for September; however, a considerable wait is involved, if one expects it to be a platform for sorting out the current differences.
