Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has stressed that peace along the border is central to relations between India and China, according to CNBC. The comments came as Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping addressed some of the most persistent points of friction between the two countries.

According to CNBC, the two leaders addressed concerns around their long-standing border dispute, an issue that has strained ties between the neighbouring powers. Modi’s framing positioned stability along the frontier as a foundation for the broader relationship.

Alongside the border question, the leaders also addressed concerns over the trade imbalance between the two economies, CNBC reported. Trade has been another area of tension in the India-China relationship.

The remarks reflect ongoing efforts by both sides to manage a complex bilateral relationship that spans security and economic dimensions. While the source does not detail specific new agreements, the exchange signals continued engagement between New Delhi and Beijing at the highest level.

As two of the world’s most populous nations and largest economies, India and China maintain a relationship watched closely by governments and markets worldwide. The comments underscore how border stability remains a prerequisite for progress on other fronts, in Modi’s view.