Talks crucial

THE planned talks between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday and Saturday are described as being informal. But that has only served to raise expectations.

It remains to be seen whether it will live up to its billing as an “unprecedented meeting”, like the 1988 meeting between then Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping and Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. This was when the two countries agreed to put their quarrels behind them.

However, this has proved harder to do than say. Yet clearly both Beijing and New Delhi hope for something substantial from the two-day meeting.

And there is good reason for optimism. The previous meeting between Xi and Modi last September produced an end to the tense border stand-off that had been souring relations for months.

That incident was a reminder to the two proud neighbours that they must manage their border issues or they will continue to trouble them.

With the top diplomats of both countries highlighting the shared will to enhance strategic communication, boost mutual confidence and upgrade their partnership both governments agreed to develop, there are hopes the coming meeting in Wuhan can usher in a new paradigm for bilateral interactions.

Safeguarding economic globalisation and regional security are just two of the many priorities they share.