'Informal summit' between Narendra Modi & Xi Jinping comes after the Doklam standoff

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday held multiple meetings in Wuhan as part of an unprecedented two-day 'informal summit' to "solidify" the India-China relationship and exchanged views on how the two countries can work together for the benefit of their people and the world.

Modi is believed to have proposed to Xi Jinping a five-point way forward for bilateral ties on the first day. The proposal includes – common vision, better communication, strong relationship, shared thought process and a shared resolve. Almost on the lines of the first formal codification of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, known as the Panchsheel Treaty that was agreed upon by the two countries in 1954.

Modi said such that informal summits should become a tradition between the two countries. He invited Xi to visit India next year to hold meeting in a similar setting. Modi said India and China have the responsibility to work for 40 per cent of the world population and the two sides have a big opportunity to work together for the benefit of their people and the world.

The summit in Wuhan – the favourite holiday spot of revolutionary Chinese leader Mao Zedong – is being seen as an effort by India and China to rebuild trust and improve ties that were hit by the 73-day-long Doklam standoff last year. Modi recalled that during the 2,000 years of history, India and China together provided momentum and strength to the world economy and dominated it for around 1,600 years. "The two countries together constituted for about 50 per cent of the world economy and another 50 per cent was shared by rest of the world for 1600 years," the prime minister said. "I'm perhaps the first prime minister of India, for whom, you have come out of the capital (Beijing) twice to receive me," Modi said, referring to his visit to Xi'an -- the hometown of President Xi in 2015.

On his part, President Xi said the two countries have established closer partnership and made positive progress in recent years. "As we meet, the international security is at a crucial period of adjustment. China and India are both important engines for global growth and we are central pillars for promoting a multi-polar and globalised world," he said. "I believe in the future. We will meet from time to time. I look forward to having in-depth communication with you, he said, adding, I am sure, we can reach new and important common understandings and help to take the China-India relationship to the next level," added Xi.

Both leaders will resume their one-on-one interaction on Saturday during walks by the lake side, boat ride and wind up their talks over lunch. This is the fourth visit of Modi to China after he came to power in 2014. He is again due to visit China to take part in the SCO summit to be held at Qingdao city on June 9-10.

Way Forward

• Modi Offered to host the next informal summit with Xi in India next year
• The PM said people in India felt proud that President Xi has twice received him out of the capital
• Xi and Modi see a fast pace and bright future for China-India cooperation

Modi’s 5-point proposal

• Common vision
• Better communication
• Strong relationship
• Evolved thought process 
• Shared resolve