XI’AN, CHINA: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping held “substantive, positive” talks in the ancient city of Xi’an today, “building on the chemistry between them which started last year,” foreign secretary S Jaishankar said today.
Mr Jaishankar, India’s foreign secretary, said the two leaders discussed, in a “comfortable atmosphere,” political issues, boundary issues, a growing trade deficit and counter-terrorism. He said President Xi talked about the “miracle of Gujarat,” and how PM Modi was trying to replicate his efforts in the state at the Centre.
Government sources said that the Prime MInister raised India’s concern over China’s plans for infrastructure projects in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir. India had earlier formally objected to China routing an economic corridor through PoK. In a “free and candid exchange of views,” the sources said, PM Modi also voiced India’s objections to China issuing stapled visas for residents of Arunachal Pradesh. China claims Arunachal Pradesh as part of southern Tibet, a stand firmly refuted by India.
PM Modi is being hosted in Xi’an by President Xi in a departure from protocol; he is the first world leader to be hosted outside Beijing. “This is an honour to 125 crore Indians whom I am representing as Prime Minister,” said PM Modi after a warm welcome by Mr Xi. He spoke in Hindi, President Xi spoke in Chinese.
Recalling his visit to Ahmedabad in September last year, President Xi said, “You received me very warmly in your hometown. I am very glad to receive you in my hometown.” Mr Xi was hosted by PM Modi in Ahemdabad in Gujarat. This evening PM Modi will be hosted at a banquet by President Xi, before he flies to Beijing, where he will hold formal talks with his Chinese counterpart Li Keqiang and other leaders tomorrow.
Trade is a major focus of this visit and India and China are expected to sign 20 business deals worth about $10 billion. PM Modi will also meet Indian and Chinese CEOs and address Industry in Shanghai on Saturday. It is learnt that the trade imbalance will figure high on the agenda. The trade deficit between India and China increased about 34 per cent to $48.43 billion in 2014-15 from $36.21 billion in the previous fiscal in China’s favour.
No substantive developments are expected on the longstanding border dispute, though, sources say, some more confidence-building measures could be announced.
