By Vladimir Soldatkin and Guy Faulconbridge KAZAN, Russia (Reuters) -Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi used a BRICS summit in Russia on Wednesday to showcase ambitions for a more harmonious relationship between the world's two most populous countries after years of animosity.

The 16th BRICS Summit commenced this week in the Russian city of Kazan, bringing together dozens of nations seeking to form a power bloc against Western powers. Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke Wednesday on the sidelines of the summit,

Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi reaffirmed their strong ties with Russia during bilateral meetings with Vladimir Putin