Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping engage in delegation-level talks.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping kicked off their two-day informal summit on Friday, the second one after the Wuhan edition last year, at Mahabalipuram about 50 km from Tamil Nadu’s capital Chennai. Clad in a simple, white dhoti and shirt, Modi received Xi in front of Arjuna’s Penance, a stone sculpture at Mahabalipuram.
The two leaders held a two-and-half-hour conversation over dinner during which they discussed a range of issues including the challenges being faced by both the countries on account of terrorism.
“Both leaders said they were large countries, and that radicalisation was a matter of concern to both. And that both would work together. The two leaders also discussed issues pertaining to the trade deficit and how to enhance the trade volume, and tried to identify areas of investments,” Gokhale said.
Modi and Xi will meet again today at the Tango Hall in Taj Fisherman’s Cove, which will be followed by delegation-level talks. There will press statements from both sides and no joint statement or MoUs are expected.
Dancers rehearse ahead of their cultural performance at the summit.
Following the conclusion of the informal summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping, the Chennai City Police have lifted all restrictions on the movement of traffic in the city. Restrictions along East Coast Road (ECR), Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR), Guindy, Kathipara Junction, Anna Salai and GST Road have been lifted and traffic movement has been restored to normalcy.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also tweeted his thanks to the various political parties and socio-cultural organisations in Tamil Nadu and expressed his gratitude for their support and hospitality during the two-day informal summit.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi departed for New Delhi on Saturday afternoon. The Prime Minister had taken a car to Thiruvadanthai in Kancheepuram district from where he had taken a chopper to reach the Chennai International Airport.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached the Chennai International Airport on Saturday afternoon. Modi had taken a helicopter to the airport from Thiruvadanthai.
Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit, Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami, Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam, Speaker P Dhanapal, DGP J K Tripathy and other AIADMK and BJP cadre were present at the aiport to see the Prime Minister off.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted his thanks to the people of Tamil Nadu on Saturday and said, "As always, their warmth and hsopitality was outstanding." (sic)
Modi also thanked the State government for organising the summit in Mahabalipuram efficiently.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi departed for Chennau following the conclusion of the two-day informal summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping at Mahabalipuram on Saturday. Modi reached Thiruvadanthai in Kancheepuram district by car and took a chopper to the Chennai International Airport.
Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale brushed aside the allegations that there were alternative venues to hold the informal summit between India and China. "PM specifically chose this venue as Tamil Nadu has rich culture and trade connection with China. We thank the state government for co-operating with us in organising this summit."
Addressing a press conference, Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale, said "Kashmir issue was not raised and not discussed. Our position is anyways very clear that this is an internal matter of India."
PM Narendra Modi thanked Chinese President Xi Jinping for coming to India. He added that the Chennai connect will add great momentum to Indian-China relations and it will benefit the people of both nations and the world.
Chinese President Xi Jinping departed for Nepal from the Chennai International Airport on Saturday afternoon.
Chinese President Xi Jinping reached the Chennai International Airport. Following a successful two-day summit at Mahabalipuram, the President will be departing for Nepal from Chennai in the afternoon.
Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit, Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami, Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam, Speaker P Dhanapal and other AIADMK cadre were present at the aiport to see the President off.
The Chennai City Police have curbed movement of traffic along Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR), Adyar and Guindy ahead of the arrival of Chinese President Xi Jinping's convoy.
With Xi Jinping's convoy enroute the ITC Grand Chola Hotel at Guindy, hundreds of artists have lined the roads to perform for the Chinese President. The cultural performances will include Thappattam, Mayilattam, Bommalattam, etc.
Following the conclusion of their delegation-level talks, Chinese Premier Xi Jinping left for Chennai. The convoy is expected to pass along East Coast Road (ECR) before heading along Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR) towards the Chennai International Airport.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese Premier Xi Jinping concluded their delgation-level talks on Day 2 of their informal summit at Mahabalipuram. The two leaders had been engaged in an hour-long discussion at the Tango Hall in Taj Fisherman's Cove, a resort at Kovalam near Chennai.
After the delegation-level talk, PM Modi and Xi attended an exhibition on artefacts and handloom at Taj Fishermen's Cove. The Chinese premier was gifted a 'ponnadai' (Silk Shawl) with his face printed on it specially made by a group of Sirumugai weavers in Tamil Nadu.
Chinese President Xi Jinping spoke about the progress that India and China had made in their relationship following the first informal summit in Wuhan in 2018 and the second summit at Mahabalipuram this year and said that the duo had made the right decision in conducting these informal summits. He also expressed his desire to have more informal summits in the future.
Speaking about the informal summits that the duo had had at Wuhan last year and at Mahabalipuram this year, Chinese President Xi Jinping lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi's initiative to have informal summits and termed them 'a good idea'. Xi continued that the informal summit at Wuhan has continued to produce visible progress over the past one year, with deeper strategic communication, effective practical cooperation and closer cooperation on multilateral occasions.
Speaking about their informal summit at Mahabalipuram, Chinese President Xi Jinping told Prime Minister Narendra Modi that the due had engaged in candid discussions as friends.
Carnatic singer T M Krishna Saturday claimed there was “discrimination of the arts and its practitioners” during the cultural performances organised for Chinese President Xi Jinping during the India-China informal summit on Friday. He said classical performers were given the “respectful” proscenium stage while folk artists performed at airports. Krishna said it wasn’t a celebration of Indian culture, but of “casteism”.
Heaping praise on the city that paved the way for the historic summit, PM Modi said "After today's Chennai Vision, a new beginning will be made for cooperation between the two countries."
Beginning his speech in Tamil, Modi called for a sensitive approach towards's each other's concern. At the beginning of the delegation-level talks, PM Modi said "We have decided to manage our differences prudently", and will not let them become disputes".
While Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President attended the informal summit in Mahabalipuram where they discussed trade and the threats that the nations faced from radicalization, the Indian Embassy at Beijing announced that it will further ease its e-visa policy for Chinese nationals. Effective this month, “Chinese nationals can apply for e-tourist visa of five years validity with multiple entries. The visa fee for this 5-year multiple entry e-TV will be USD 80,” stated a press release from the embassy in Bejing.
“It is anticipated that this unilateral liberalisation of e-TV for Chinese nationals will further enhance people-to-people exchanges between the two countries and encourage more Chinese tourists to choose India as a destination for tourism purposes,” the release said.
Read full story | Modi-Xi summit: On shores of Mahabalipuram, ironing out a sea of differences
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping met at the Taj Fisherman's Cove resort in Kovalam for a brief tête-à-tête on Saturday morning. After wrapping up the tête-à-tête, the leaders will now adjourn to the Tango Hall in the resort, where they will be engaging in delagation-level talks.
Picking up from Wuhan where they met in April last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping, on Day 1 of their second informal summit, Friday said that “radicalisation was a matter of concern” to both countries and they would work together to see that radicalisation and terror do not affect the fabric of the multicultural, multi-ethnic and multi-religious societies in their countries.
Disclosing what transpired at the 150-minute one-on-one discussion between the two leaders in the seaside town of Mahabalipuram near Chennai, Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale said both leaders felt that radicalisation and terror was a “common challenge” for both countries which are “diverse” and “complex”. "The two leaders also discussed issues pertaining to the trade deficit and how to enhance the trade volume, and tried to identify areas of investments,” Gokhale said.
Read full piece | Mahabalipuram Summit: Modi and Xi talk trade, terror and threat they face from radicalisation
The Chennai City Police have announced that vehicle movement along Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR) will be curbed at 11 am. Vehicles heading towards the city and towards Sholinganallur can ply along the road between 10 am and 11 am.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi received Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Taj Fisherman's Cove at Kovalam on Saturday morning. After a brief tea break, the two leaders will adjourn to the Tango Hall in the resort, where they will be engaging in delegation-level talks.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter and shared a few pictures as he enjoyed a morning walk along the beach at Mahabalipuram.
The Chennai City Police have lifted traffic restrictions along Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR) temporarily. MRTS services at Kasturibai Nagar, Indiranagar and Thiruvanmiyur stations have resumed.
Chinese President Xi Jinping's convoy crossed the Holiday Inn Junction on Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR) enroute Kovalam. The convoy will head to Sholinganallur Junction on OMR before proceeding along East Coast Road (ECR).
Chinese President Xi Jinping's convoy has left for Kovalam from the ITC Grand Chola Hotel in Guindy. The convoy will be passing along Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR) before heading on to East Coast Road (ECR).
Bus services along Old Mahabalipuram Road were halted a while ago in anticipation of Chinese President Xi Jinping's commute from the ITC Grand Chola Hotel in Guindy to Taj Fisherman's Cove resort in Kovalam.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi took a 30-minute plogging drive on a beach at Mahabalipuram on Saturday morning ahead of his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping at Taj Fisherman's Cove after 10 am.
With Xi Jinping's convoy expected to pass along Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR) soon, Southern Railway has halted MRTS services at Kasturibai Nagar, Indira Nagar and Thiruvanmiyur stations.
With Xi Jinping's convoy expected to pass through Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR) and East Coast Road (ECR), artists are gearing up to perform various cultural performances such as Karakattam, Kavadiattam, Bommalattam, Nadaswaram, Tavi, Poi Kaal Kudhiraattam, etc.
Movement of traffic along East Coast Road (ECR) from Palavakkam to Kovalam has been closed for public. Vehicular restrictions have also been imposed along Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR) and roads leading to OMR. Vehicles intending to travel along OMR have been re-routed at Madhya Kailash junction towards Adyar.
The police have also curbed movement of traffic along GST Road.
The Chennai City Police have imposed restrictions on the movement of traffic along Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR) and East Coast Road (ECR), with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese Premier Xi Jinping set to attend talks at Kovalam, near Chennai today.
07:30 am to 2 pm: Vehicles proceeding towards the city along Rajiv Gandhi IT Expressway/Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR) will be diverted at Sholinganallur towards Perumbakkam.
7 am to 1:30 pm: Vehicles will be barred from entering Muttukadu at Akkarai junction on ECR.
Educational institutions, IT companies, commercial establishments and the general public who would be commuting in the above-mentioned routes have been advised by the city police to plan their trip to avoid traffic snarls and diversion.
Read full story | Modi-Xi summit in Chennai: Traffic restrictions imposed; here are roads and places to avoid
After a "highly productive" meeting on the first day of the informal summit, Modi and Xi will meet again today at the Tango Hall in Taj Fisherman’s Cove, which will be followed by delegation-level talks. There will press statements from both sides and no joint statement or MoUs are expected.
Chinese President Xi Jinping reached the ITC Grand Chola Hotel in Guindy a few minutes ago. The President will be leaving for Kovalam around 9 am on Saturday, where he will be joining Prime Minister Narendra Modi for delegation level talks.
The Chennai City Police have allowed vehicles to ply along Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR) after more than two hours.
The meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping concluded after more than two and a half hours. Jinping will be returning to ITC Grand Chola Hotel in Guindy while PM Modi would be staying at Taj Fisherman's Cove Resort and Spa at Kovalam.
Traffic has been brought to a standstill on OMR. Citizens got involved in a heated argument with the city cops as some of them had been waiting for more than two hours.
As Chinese Premier Xi Jinping is expected to return to Chennai from Mamallapuram in some time, the city police have blocked vehicle movement on Velachery road, Taramani road and other connecting routes to OMR.
A traditional south Indian spread, including the trademark sambhar, was part of the menu for Narendra Modi and Xi Jinping on Friday when the Indian Prime Minister hosted the Chinese President for dinner on their first day of their second informal meet here. According to available information, the two leaders will be treated to a sumptuous dinner, comprising sambhar, a mouthwatering south Indian recipe made of lentils and also a favourite of the Tamils, besides other delicacies.
'Arachu vitta Sambhar', prepared from grounded lentils, certain spices and coconut to make it that much tastier was touted to be the key attraction in the menu. The meal will include 'thakkali rasam,' made of tomato and 'imli' and 'kadalai (chick pea, generally) korma', besides halwa as the premier dessert. Further, the Chinese President is also likely to be treated to a select non-vegetarian delicacies. PTI
Honoring the China Media Group, India-China friendship dinner party was organized today in Chennai.
As a token of friendship, Prime Minister Narendra Modi gifted Nachiarkoil, a branched Annam lamp and a Thanjavur painting of dancing Saraswathi to Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Following the conclusion of the cultural programme, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping have proceeded for dinner which is to be hosted by Modi. After the dinner, Jinping will leave for the ITC Grand Chola Hotel in Chennai while Modi will proceed to Taj Fisherman’s Cover Resort and Spa at Kovalam, near Chennai.
After visiting the monuments at Mahabalipuram, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping attended a cultural show in front of the Shore Temple. Students of Kalakshetra Foundation in Chennai put up Bharatanatyam, Mohiniattam and Kathakali performances at the show which was attended by the leaders and delegates from China.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping took a guided tour of the iconic Shore Temple at Mahabalipuram. The Shore Temple, built a little after 700 AD, is a temple complex which is situated by the sea. The temple has two shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva and a third to Lord Vishnu. The rock-cut temple has been sculpted entirely out of granite stones and features architecture by the Pallavas and Cholas, the latter being the next kingdom to settle in the town after defeating the former.
The temple was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984.
After taking a tour of the various heritage sites at Mahabalipuram, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping will be attending a cultural performance in the town. Students from the Kalakshetra Foundation in Chennai are expected to put up a performance fetauring the art forms, Bharatanatyam, Mohiniattam and Kathakali.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping next took a tour of Krishna's Butter Ball. Krishna’s Butter Ball features a huge boulder resting along the incline of a smaller boulder at Mahabalipuram. The tourism spot derives its name from Hindu mythology, where it is believed that Lord Krishna, while stealing butter from his mother dropped a portion of it where the rock is balanced.
After visiting Arjuna's Penance, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping took a tour of the Pancha Rathas. The Pancha Rathas (Sanskrit for five chariots) features five incomplete stone sculptures, whose tops and bases have been carved to resemble chariots. The rock-cut rathas, which were carved during Narasimhavarman’s reign are incomplete structures, with work being halted following the king’s death.
The sculptures are named after the Pandavas – Yudishtra, Bheema, Arjuna, Nakula and Shadeva and their wife, Draupadi. The biggest chariot is dedicated to Yudishtra and the smallest to Draupadi. Though they were never consecrated since they were unfinished, locals refer to them as temples.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Arjuna's Penance, a UNESCO world heritage site. The monument was carved in honour of Narasimhavarman’s victory over the Chalukya king, Pulakeshi II. The monument features a variety of carvings that tell different stories. One such carving depicts the descent of the river Ganga from heaven, thus giving the monument an alternate name – Descent of the Ganges. Legend has it that Arjuna prayed to Lord Shiva here for a weapon to defeat the Kauravas during the Mahabharata, following which the site came to be known as Arjuna’s Penance.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi received Chinese President Xi Jinping at Mahabalipuram today. Modi welcomed Xi Jinping to the summit in front of Arjuna's Penance, a UNESCO World Heritage Site at Mahabalipuram after 5 pm.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi traded in his trademark kurta and pyjama for a more traditional, South Indian attire. Modi was seen dressed in a simple, white dhoti and shirt as he reached Arjuna's Penance at Mahabalipuram. The Prime Minister will be receiving Chinese Premier Xi Jinping at the stone monument before proceeding for the guided tour.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping will be taking a guided tour of Arjuna's Penance, Pancha Rathas and the Shore Temple, all UNESCO World Heritage Sites once the convoy of the Chinese Premier reaches Mahabalipuram.
The Chennai City Police have lifted restrictions on the movement of traffic along Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR) and Guindy-Sardar Patel Road temporarily since the convoy of Chinese President Xi Jinping has crossed into East Coast Road (ECR) enroute Mahabalipuram.
The convoy of Chinese President Xi Jinping crossed Madhya Kaikash on Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR). The motorcade was greeted by hundred of BJP cadre and members of the public who flourished flags of India and China, while cultural performances played out in the background.
Several cultural performances such as Thappattam, Mayilattam, Poi Kaal Kuthirai Attam, Band Song, Dolu Kunitha have been planned at various points at Guindy, Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR) and East Coast Road (ECR) in Chennai and vantage points at ECR enroute Mahabalipuram as the convoy proceeds towards the coastal town.
The convoy of Chinese President Xi Jinping left the ITC Grand Chola Hotel at Guindy for Mahabalipuram by road. The motorcade will be travelling along Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR) until Sholinganallur before proceeding along East Coast Road (ECR).
Traffic restrictions have been put into place until the convoy crosses Akkarai at ECR.