Hamburg, July 7 (newsin.asia): The Indian External Affairs Ministry claimed on Friday that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday shook hands and had a conversation on a “range of issues” during the BRICS leaders’ informal meeting in Hamburg.
The Chinese had earlier called off a scheduled bilateral meeting between the two leaders saying that the atmosphere wasn’t right for it in the context of China-India stand off on the border between the two countries.
The conversation took place on the sidelines of the G20 Summit that began on Friday.
In a tweet, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Gopal Baglay said Mr. Modi and Mr. Xi discussed “a range of issues.”
“At d BRICS leaders’ informal gathering @ Hamburg hosted by China, PM @narendramodi and President Xi had a conversation on a range of issues,” the spokesperson tweeted.
The Ministry also tweeted a photograph of Mr. Modi and Mr. Xi shaking hands.
During an informal gathering of BRICS leaders here hosted by the Chinese President on the sidelines of the G20 Summit, Modi said the ups and downs in the global politics and worsening security situation are affecting everyone.
“BRICS has to be a voice of stability, reform, progress and governance at the world stage,” he told the presidents from BRICS nations — Michel Temer (Brazil), Vladimir Putin (Russia), Xi Jinping (China) and Jacob Zuma (South Africa).
Modi said that the spread of terrorism is a threat for societies in Asia and Europe as he expressed concern over its increasing influence in the war-torn Afghanistan.
The West Asian region has been marred by conflict between Israel and Palestine and battle against the ISIS terror group, civil wars in Syria, Libya and Yemen. Millions of people have fled their homes in Iraq and Syria due to conflict.
In the Gulf, a group of Arab states including Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Bahrain has severed air, sea and ground links with Qatar, triggering a diplomatic crisis in the region where millions of Indians are working.
Saudi and its allies accuse Qatar of supporting terror groups and maintaining close relations with Iran. The crisis has raised concerns of growing instability in the region.
The Prime Minister also voiced concern over tensions in the Korean Peninsula, saying it is a matter of concern.
Modi’s remarks came in the backdrop of the US warning to North Korea that it would use military force in response to Pyongyang’s “reckless” launch of a ballistic missiles. The US also blasted China and Russia for “holding the hands” of the reclusive nation’s “vicious dictator” Kim Jong Un.
(The featured picture at the top shows Indian Prime Minister Modi greeting Chinese President Xi Jinping at the BRICS summit in Hamburg)
