Kazan, Russia - October 23, 2024

Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Wednesday that China and India should keep to the trend of history and the right direction of bilateral relations for the fundamental interests of the two countries and two peoples.

Xi made the statement when meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the 16th BRICS Summit in western Russia's Kazan City.

The first-ever summit of an expanded BRICS is taking place from Tuesday to Thursday in Kazan. Xi flew in on Tuesday to attend the event at the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

BRICS began with Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, and has now evolved into an influential international cooperation mechanism with an expanded membership in January.

Besides the countries that officially joined the BRICS family on Jan 1, 2024, over 30 countries like Thailand, Malaysia, Turkey and Azerbaijan have either formally applied for or expressed interest in membership.

Shotlist:
Kazan, Russia - Oct 23, 2024:
1. Meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in progress; attendees from both sides;
2. Xi speaking, Modi listening;
3. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Xi Jinping, Chinese President (starting with shots 1-2/partially overlaid with shot 4/ending with shot 5):
"China and India are both countries with an ancient civilization, large developing countries and major members of the Global South, and both stand at a crucial phase of their respective modernization drive. It is in the fundamental interests of both countries and their peoples for China and India to keep to the trend of history and the right direction of bilateral relations. The two sides should strengthen communication and cooperation, handle disputes and differences properly, and facilitate each other's pursuit of development aspirations. The two countries should also shoulder their international responsibility, set themselves as an example in boosting the strength and unity of developing countries, and contribute to promoting multipolarity of the world and greater democracy in international relations.";
[SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE]
4. Various of Modi listening, meeting in progress; national flags of China, India;
[SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE]
5. Various of Modi listening, meeting in progress;
6. Xi listening;
7. SOUNDBITE (Hindi) Narendra Modi, Indian Prime Minister (starting with shot 6/partially overlaid with shot 8/ending with shot 9):
"Excellency [Xi Jinping], it's very nice to meet you. We believe that the India-China relations not only is critical to the peoples of the two countries, but also carries great significance to peace, stability and the development of the region and the world at large. I believe we will have dialogues with open minds.";
[SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE]
8. Various of Xi listening, meeting in progress;
[SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE]
9. Meeting in progress.

[Restriction - No access Chinese mainland]