Possible Xi-Modi Meeting in Johannesburg?

File image of Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at their last formal summit meeting in October 2019 when relations between the two Asian powers were considerably less strained than they are today. Handout / PIB / AFP

One of the closest-watched interactions at the summit will be between India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi and China’s President Xi Jinping. Tensions between the two Asian superpowers have been rising due to an ongoing border dispute and larger geopolitical wranglings.

There are hopes for a Xi-Modi meeting on the sidelines of the Johannesburg summit. Although no official plans have been announced, China’s ambassador to South Africa, Chen Xiaodong, told reporters that “I am confident that as two nations, two countries, we will have direct talks, direct meetings.”

  • Get a daily email packed with the latest China-Africa news and analysis.
  • Read exclusive insights on the key trends shaping China-Africa relations.
  • Full access to the News Feed that provides daily updates on Chinese engagement in Africa and throughout the Global South.

China, Africa and the Global South... find out what’s happening.

Subscribe today for unlimited access.

What is The China-Global South Project?

Independent

The China-Global South Project is passionately independent, non-partisan and does not advocate for any country, company or culture.

News

A carefully curated selection of the day’s most important China-Global South stories. Updated 24 hours a day by human editors. No bots, no algorithms.

Analysis

Diverse, often unconventional insights from scholars, analysts, journalists and a variety of stakeholders in the China-Global South discourse.

Networking

A unique professional network of China-Africa scholars, analysts, journalists and other practioners from around the world.