Tribune News Service

New Delhi, July 10

China today categorically stated that there was no “bilateral” meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping when the two met in Hamburg, Germany, on the sidelines of the G20 Summit.Indian and Chinese troops continue to hold their positions in the Doklam region in Sikkim, leading to a state of heightened tension between the two nations. China reiterated that for any “meaningful dialogue” to take place between the two nations, Indian troops first need to withdraw.”According to my information, the two said leaders did not hold any bilateral meeting,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said in response to a question about the issues discussed between the two leaders. Geng added that Xi chaired an informal meet of BRICS leaders during which PM Modi was present. The withdrawal of troops from Doklam was the precondition for any meaningful dialogue between both sides, Geng said.India, meanwhile, said both leaders had a “conversation” during which a range of issues were discussed. While refusing to divulge details as to what were the issues discussed between the two leaders, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Gopal Baglay said Saturday, “We have tweeted that the two leaders discussed a range of issues. A range of issues means a range of issues. I don’t want to add anything further… I leave it to you to draw your conclusion.”