PM Modi, Xi Jinping Begin Summit at Mao's 'Favourite Holiday Spot' in Wuhan, Boost to Sino-Indian Ties on Cards
Beginning the two-day summit with Jinping this afternoon, Modi in his opening remarks expressed gratitude towards the Chinese President for personally receiving him at Wuhan.
Wuhan, April 27: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping have initiated their historic summit in Wuhan at the Hubei Provincial Museum, the 'favourite holiday spot' of Commander Mao Zedong, the founding father of communist China.
The bilateral meet, unique in its kind, is likely to boost the Sino-Indian bilateral ties, claim experts. "This one-on-one summit, where Xi Jinping wants to exclusively host the Indian PM, reflects the weightage given to India by the Chinese administration," said former ambassador to Myanmar, Vivek Katju.
Katju further opines that this could be an attempt by Beijing to convince New Delhi to support its 'One Belt, One Road' initiative. "But the Indian side, while reciprocating the warm gesture, will take a calculated decision," he told RSTV.
Beginning the two-day summit with Jinping this afternoon, Modi in his opening remarks expressed gratitude towards the Chinese President for personally receiving him at Wuhan.
"The people of India feel really proud that I may be the first Prime Minister of India, for whom, you (Chinese President) have come out of the capital twice to receive me," Modi said.
"I hope such informal summits becomes a tradition between both the countries. I'll be happy, if in 2019, we can have such informal summit in India," he added.
After issuing the joint statement from the Hubei Provincial Museum, the two heads of states will visit the East Lake in Wuhan, the second largest urban lake in China. Modi and Jinping will be taking a boat ride, along with a walk round the lake's bank.
While the two sides had refrained from imposing any pre-set agenda for the talks, the Indian Prime Minister, before leaving from China said his discussion with Jinping will revolve around the "long-term strategic and regional goals" of India and China.
"We will also discuss our respective visions and priorities for national development, in context of current and future international situation," Modi had said.
The Modi-Jinping summit is expected to break the lull caused in Sino-Indian ties following the 73-day standoff between the armies of the two nations near the tri junction region of Doklam last year.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 27, 2018 04:23 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).