Kashmir issue clouds Xi-Modi meet; RCEP issue may be on the table

Xi tells Imran Beijing will back Pak in issues related to its core interests

The developments on Wednesday followed a trajectory all-too familiar in India-China ties, with Beijing and New Delhi trading barbs over the Kashmir issue. 

New Delhi and Beijing officially confirmed in the morning that Chinese President Xi Jinping will visit Chennai on Friday for a two-day “informal summit” with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, ending days of uncertainty that was seen as a sign of uneasiness between the two neighbours over the situation in Kashmir after India ended its special status on August 5. 

By afternoon, Xi said in Beijing that he was watching the situation in Kashmir. According to China’s official