PM Modi greets Xi, hopes to promote relations

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has congratulated Chinese President Xi Jinping on his re-election as general secretary of the Chinese Communist Party, the MEA said on Friday, adding that it “hopes the direction and policy” set by the Party Congress in that country “contributes to peace and stability” in the region. Meanwhile, New Delhi also said there were “no new developments at the (Doklam) face-off site and its vicinity since the August 28 disengagement” between the Indian and Chinese militaries.

In a statement, the MEA said, “Our Prime Minister had sent his best wishes to President Xi for the success... We hope that the direction and the policy set by the Congress will further promote our bilateral relations and contribute to peace and stability in the region.”

Asked to comment on reports of a Chinese troop build-up in certain areas, the MEA said, “I think it is important to have an accurate understanding of the situation... From what I can make out, this particular news report ref-ers to alleged Chinese build up well within China.”

I would like to reiterate that there are no new developments at the face-off site and its vicinity since the August 28 disengagement. The status quo prevails in this area. Any suggestion to the contrary is incorrect and mischievous.”

Ties between India and China had been strained during the more than two month long Doklam military stand-off that ended on August 28.