India Firmly Rejects 'Secret Xi Letter' Reports Amidst Thawing China Ties: What's Really Happening?

A wave of speculation concerning a "secret letter" from Chinese President Xi Jinping to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been decisively quashed by India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). In a robust statement that left no room for ambiguity, the MEA labelled the reports as "incorrect," putting to rest swirling rumours that had garnered significant media attention, particularly across certain regional outlets.

The denial comes at a fascinating juncture in India-China relations.

While diplomatic ties have remained notably frosty since the devastating Galwan Valley clashes in 2020, recent interactions have hinted at a subtle, yet cautious, de-escalation. These include Prime Minister Modi's congratulatory message to President Xi on China's National Day, as well as the return of an Indian journalist to Beijing, steps that many observers have interpreted as signs of a nascent "thaw."

The reports, which originated from various sources including some Pakistani media and specific Indian financial dailies, suggested that President Xi had dispatched a confidential message to PM Modi via China's special envoy for Afghanistan affairs, Yue Xiaoyong, during his recent visit to New Delhi.

These claims, however, were directly contradicted by MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi, who stated emphatically, "This report is incorrect," when pressed on the matter.

India’s diplomatic stance on normalising relations with China has been unwavering: peace and tranquility along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) are paramount.

Specifically, New Delhi has consistently called for complete disengagement and de-escalation of troops in the eastern Ladakh sector, a prerequisite for any meaningful advancement in bilateral ties. This position was reiterated following the informal conversation between PM Modi and President Xi on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in Johannesburg, where both leaders reportedly agreed to intensify efforts for de-escalation.

Furthermore, the foreign ministers of both nations, S Jaishankar and Wang Yi, have also engaged in discussions aimed at stabilising the volatile border situation.

While these high-level engagements signal a desire to prevent further escalation, the MEA's swift and firm denial regarding the "secret letter" underscores a clear message: official communications follow established protocols, and unsubstantiated reports will not be tolerated, especially when they attempt to inject unverified narratives into sensitive diplomatic landscapes.

The path to full normalisation remains long and complex, anchored firmly in resolving the ongoing border impasse.