Brics: What led to Modi and Xi meeting and thaw in India and China ties

In a significant display of diplomatic thawing, leaders of India and China recently came together for an important meeting. This high-level encounter between Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India and President Xi Jinping of China has garnered international attention, particularly because it follows closely after both nations agreed to de-escalate tensions along their contentious Himalayan border. This development comes as a breather after years of escalating military and political tensions, which at times seemed on the brink of boiling over into outright conflict. The backdrop of this meeting is as complex as it is fraught with historical tensions. India and China share a long and winding border that has been the subject of dispute for decades. The most notable flashpoint in recent history occurred in 1962 when a brief but bloody border war was fought between the two countries. Since then, there have been numerous standoffs and skirmishes, the latest being in 2020 in the Galwan Valley, where clashes resulted in casualties on both sides. This event significantly heightened tensions and led to a military buildup along the border, with both nations deploying thousands of troops. The announcement of de-escalation came as a surprise to many who have been following the trajectory of India-China relations. It begs the question: what led to this sudden warming of ties and the meeting between Modi and Xi? There are several factors at play that might have contributed to this thaw. Firstly, the global geopolitical landscape is shifting. Both India and China are acutely aware of the importance of stabilizing their relationship