PM Modi’s 3-Nation Visit : Reaches XI’an City Of China In First Leg
14 May, XI’an City , China
Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached Xi’an city this morning on the first leg of his three-day visit to China. The Prime Minister, who left New Delhi last night on a tri-nation tour to China, Mangolia and South Korea, was accorded a warm welcome at the Xi’an airport.
The Prime Minister, who is on his maiden official visit to China, is scheduled to hold summit-level talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Xi’an today.
Both leaders are expected to discuss a gamut of issues to expand bilateral relations to new areas for mutual benefit. The Prime Minister is set to discuss in detail trade and commerce issues for broad based economic relationship with China.
Beside bilateral talks with the Chinese leadership, Modi will visit historical places – Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Terrakota Warriors Musueum, and Da Xing Shan Temple – in Xian. The Chinese President will also extend traditional Thang Dynasty welcome ceremony in honour of Modi.
Modi will leave for Beijing tonight after taking part in a banquet dinner to be hosted by Jinping. The Prime Minister will meet Chinese Premier Li Keqiang besides taking part in a series of events in Beijing tomorrow. He will visit Shanghai and address Indian community before leaving for Mangolia on Saturday. Modi is visiting China in the year of the 65th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relationship between the two countries.
Coming barely eight months after the Chinese President’s visit to India last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s three-day visit to China holds a multi-point agenda to take forward the bilateral relationship between the two countries.
China is India’s largest trading partner and the bilateral trade between the two countries is expected to touch 100 billion US dollars by the end of this year. Though increasing trade deficit with China is a matter of concern, India desires to involve China in “ Make in India” campaign on a large scale to strengthen manufacturing and infrastructure segments in the country.
At the same time, the Indian government is looking forward for partnership with China in establishment of industrial parks and development of smart cities. These issues are expected to be discussed at length during the Prime Minister’s talks with Chinese President today.
China, on the other hand, with its current ‘Go Global Policy’ is exploring the emerging opportunities in India for trade and investment. Political analysts feel that both the Indian Prime Minister and Chinese President are determined to expand bilateral relationship to new areas despite border issue awaiting settlement.