Amidst the ongoing military stand-off between India and China in the tri-junction region of India-Bhutan-China near Sikkim, speculations ran high on whether Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping will meet at sidelines of the G20 meet at Hamburg.

However, on Friday the two did meet sending out a positive signal that may defuse the escalating tensions.

“At the BRICS leaders’ informal gathering at Hamburg hosted by China, PM @narendramodi and President Xi had a conversation on a range of issues,” stated a cautious tweet by Gopal Baglay, Spokesperson, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). It seemed both leaders spoke to each other for almost four to five minutes during the informal meeting of the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) leaders where National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval was also present, sources told BusinessLine .

As soldiers on both sides stand at the border staring at each other, both Modi and Xi were full of praise for each other. While Modi appreciated Xi’s leadership for a progressive and positive approach in deepening the engagement of BRICS, Xi reciprocated with positive words for the PM and hailed his strong resolution to fight terrorism.

Xi also wished success for India in economic and social development. “The impromptu meeting between both leaders in Hamburg seems to have opened up a small window for back-channel diplomatic negotiations. The stand-off may die down but India needs to be more careful of the tri-junction area because it should not be left behind while Bhutan and China talks,” said India’s former Ambassador to Central Asia Phunchok Stobdan.

Meanwhile, the Chinese maintained that Indian troops have crossed over the border illegally at the Sikkim section of the China-India boundary and hindered their activities in the Doklam area.

According to experts, the stand-off should be defused at the earliest as it entered the 21st day. Except for one statement on June 30, there had been no official word on the situation since then.

“There are chances there could be a hot conflict and that could be a serious issue. China is making it more difficult. And longer the stand-off continues, more volatile it becomes and patience runs out,” stated Jayadeva Ranade, President, Centre for China Analysis and Strategy, and former Additional Secretary in the Cabinet Secretariat.

If the face-off continues between both the armies then it will soon result in “snapping of nerves” resulting in major confrontation, said Nandan Unnikrishnan of Observer Research Foundation (ORF).

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