Daijiworld Media Network - Beijing

Beijing, Sep 1: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday raised the issue of cross-border terrorism during talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping, urging cooperation between India and China to fight the menace as both nations have been its victims.

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said the prime minister described the issue as a “priority” during his wide-ranging discussions with Xi, which also focused on rebuilding strained ties after the four-year border standoff in eastern Ladakh ended last year.

“Cross-border terrorism was mentioned by the prime minister as a priority. He underlined that it impacts both India and China, and stressed the importance of extending support to each other in combating this menace,” Misri told reporters. He added that China extended “understanding and cooperation” in this regard, especially in the context of the ongoing SCO summit.

The remarks are seen as a signal that the SCO declaration, to be released Monday, may include criticism of terrorism emanating from Pakistan. Despite Beijing being Islamabad’s all-weather ally, China in the past had blocked New Delhi’s efforts at the UN to sanction Pakistan-based terrorists.

Misri confirmed that the two leaders exchanged views on jointly tackling terrorism. Asked if Modi flagged the Pahalgam terror attack or the reported use of Chinese equipment by Pakistan’s army, Misri said only that the prime minister outlined India’s concerns “very crisply and specifically.”

“India is still combating this scourge. The prime minister asked for China’s support, and as I mentioned, they have extended cooperation in various ways,” he added.

Modi arrived in China on Saturday on a two-day visit after a gap of seven years to attend the annual summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).