Modi-Xi summit in Mahabalipuram Live news update:
On Friday in Mahabalipuram, Chinese President Xi Jinping received a warm welcome at the Chennai airport where he arrived in the afternoon. Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave Xi Jinping a guided tour of three renowned monuments: Arjuna’s Penance, Panch Rathas and the Shore Temple around 5 pm. Thereafter, they watched a cultural performance for 45 minutes at the temple, which was followed by a dinner hosted by the Prime Minister.
The two leaders sat on a separate round table at the dinner tent near the Shore temple. Modi, who was dressed in traditional Tamil attire, and Xi in an informal white shirt and black trousers, spent “quality time”, sipping coconut water.
Fact Check: How Mamallapuram became Mahabalipuram, regained old name | Modi-Xi Summit: Traffic restrictions in place in Chennai | Wrinkle in Xi’s red carpet: China and Pakistan raise Kashmir, India objects | Explained: Going back 1,300 yrs, story of Mahabalipuram’s China connection
Later, both the leaders held a two-and-half-hour "open and cordial" one-on-one discussion over dinner at this bustling temple town on Friday, vowing to jointly combat terrorism and radicalisation, and signalling a recalibration of bilateral ties. "The discussion stressed over 150 minutes and it was well beyond the planned time for conversation. The discussions were very open and cordial. This was quality time that the two leaders spent together one-on-one," Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale said in a late evening press conference.
Chinese President Xi Jinping left for Nepal on Saturday by an Air China aircraft, concluding his second informal summit with Prime Minsiter Narendra Modi, which has signalled a recalibration of bilateral ties.
India and China will set up a mechanism to tackle India’s galloping trade deficit with the world's second-biggest economy, a top Indian diplomat said on Saturday, following summit talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping.
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Regarding the discussion on Kashmir between the two leaders, Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale confirmed that Kashmir issue was not raised and discussed. "Our position is anyways very clear that this is an internal matter of India," he added.
When asked about cross-border terrorism, Gokhale said, "Sino-India ties are not a single issue relationship."
Addressing a press conference, Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale said, "the two leaders today had a conversation for almost 90 minutes, followed by delegation-level talks and then lunch was hosted by PM Modi. A total of 6 hours of one to one meeting was held between the two leaders during this summit.
"A new mechanism will be established to discuss trade, investment and services, at an elevated level. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and the Vice Premier, Hu Chunhua China will discuss this," he added.
Gokhale also said that Xi was satisfied with all the hospitality and talks. The Chinese President has invited PM Modi for the next summit in China
After the Summit concluded, PM Modi thanked Chinese President Xi Jinping for coming to India. He said the Chennai connect will add great momentum to Indian-China relations and the world as well.
After two days of Indo-China informal summit in Mamallapuram and Kovalam, Xi Jinping departed from Taj Fisherman's Cove hotel in Kovalam for Chennai. He will shortly leave India.
Direct contacts between the leadership have been instrumental in consolidating strategic communication, the Ministry of External Affairs said.
After the delegation-level talk, the two leaders attended an exhibition on artefacts and handloom at Taj Fishermen's Cove.
Saying that the two countries made the right decision to have this kind of informal summits, Chinese President Xi Jinping said, "What has happened has proved that we have made the right decision to have this kind of informal summits, that we can continue with this form of meeting."
He further said, " we have "deeper strategic communication", "more effective practical cooperation".
Chinese President Xi Jinping said that informal summit continued to produce "visible progress" for the past one year. " Had "heart to heart discussions" on bilateral relations. "We've had really in-depth engagements and good discussions," he said.
Recalling the first informal summit in Wuhan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, " the first summit led to fresh stability in our relations and gave a fresh momentum. Strategic communication between our two countries has also increased."
"After today's Chennai Vision, a new beginning will be made for cooperation between the two countries," he added.
Delegation level talks begin between Indian and China. PM Narendra Modi, National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale are present.
Calling for a sensitive approach towards's each other's concern, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, at the beginning of the delegation-level talks said, "we have decided to manage our differences prudently", and will not let them become disputes".
PM Modi and Xi Jinping hold a one-on-one meeting at Taj Fishermen's Cove ahead of the delegation-level meeting.
Beginning the second day of the India- China informal summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping met at Kovalam.
Both the leaders will hold a high-level delegation today before ending the summit.
Chinese President Xi Jinping's convoy has left from ITC Grand Chola Hotel for Kovalam. Following the one-on-one meeting, India and China will hold delegation-level talks including top officials. The two sides will also issue separate statements on the outcomes of the two-day informal summit between PM Modi and President Xi. The summit will be concluded with a lunch hosted by PM Modi.
PM Modi began his day with a cleaniness drive on the beach at Mahabalipuram. Later in the day, the prime minister will host a lunch for Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Ahead of Modi- Xi's meet on the second day of informal summit, locals hold placards with pictures of PM Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping and traditional folk musicians perform at Kovalam.
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.
Members of the Chinese diaspora gather outside ITC Grand Chola Hotel in Chennai where President Xi Jinping is staying. The Chinese President will meet PM Modi later today in Kovalam.
Source: ANI
Traffic on MGR Salai, Velachery-Taramani Road and OMR has been blocked. The convoy of both the leaders is expected to pass at 9:30 am. The police said buses are playing for now and will be restricted on these roads by 9 AM.
After nearly two-and-a-half hours of "open and cordial" one-on-one free-wheeling talks on Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping will again meet 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.
"Today's discussions focused on national issues and bilateral talks. Tomorrow, they will discuss international issues, other than several various things. More details will be shared tomorrow after the informal summit ends": Vijay Gokhale, MEA spokesperson
"The two leaders spoke about trade-related issues, economic issues, investment issues between the two countries, and other things," says Vijay Gokhale, MEA spokesperson
Meanwhile, traffic has been brought to a standstill on OMR road from where the convoys of PM Modi and President Xi Jinping passed today. Some people claim that they've been waiting here for over two hours. The roads will be opened at 09:30 pm.
"Concluding a highly productive day with a pleasant conversation over a long dinner. PM @narendramodi & Chinese President Xi continued their exchange of views on deepening of the India-China partnership over a breathtaking Kalakshetra cultural performance followed by dinner," tweeted MEA Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday chose the three languages of English, Tamil and Chinese to wish his second informal meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping further strengthened bilateral ties.
"Mamallapuram is one of the most beautiful places in India, full of vibrancy. It is linked to commerce, spirituality and is now a popular tourism centre," tweeted PM Modi as he met the Chinese President on the first day of two-day summit in the coastal city. "I am delighted that President Xi Jinping and I are spending time in this scenic place, which is also a @UNESCO heritage site," he added.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping leave after attending a cultural program at the Shore Temple in Mahabalipuram. Both the leaders attended dinner around 1900 hrs, according to ANI sources.
Here is what all was on the menu for the official dinner hosted by PM Modi for President Xi Jinping.
Sources: Prime Minister Narendra Modi & Chinese President Xi Jinping’s dinner began at approximately 19:00 hrs today in Mahabalipuram and their conversation is still continuing after two hours.
In the backdrop of 7th century rock-cut chariots of Pancha Ratha overlooking the Bay of Bengal, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping sipped coconut water and engaged in casual interaction in a serene setting on Friday, sending signs of positive atmospherics in bilateral ties strained over Kashmir. Modi, dressed in a Tamil attire of 'Veshti' (Dhoti), white shirt and an 'angavastram' (shawl), took Xi for a guided tour of the famous world heritage sites of Arjuna's Penance, Krishna's Butterball, the Pancha Ratha and Shore temple in this ancient temple town, kicking off the second informal summit between the two leaders.
"The free flowing nature of the informal summit at the UNESCO world heritage site will continue and deepen contacts at the highest level and guide the future trajectory of India-China relationship," External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted. PTI
Earlier, the cultural programme at Shore temple in Mahabalipuram ended with a prayer for peace and harmony, MEA spokesperson tweeted. PM Modi and Xi are attending a dinner now. Modi and Xi kicked off their two-day informal summit on Friday, the second one after the Wuhan edition last year, at this coastal town located about 50 km from Tamil Nadu's capital Chennai.
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
Narendra Modi gifted a Nachiarkoil lamp and Thanjavur painting on dancing Saraswati to Xi Jinping
MEA Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar shared pics of both the leaders standing together at Krishna's butterball, a gigantic granite boulder sitting firmly on the slope of a hillock in Mahabalipuram.
In the backdrop of the seventh century monument of Pancha Ratha, overlooking the Coromandel Coast of Bay of Bengal, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday took a stroll and sipped fresh coconut water in a relaxed informal setting, creating positive atmospherics in bilateral ties strained over the Kashmir issue. Dressed in a Tamil attire of Veshti (dhoti), white shirt and an angavastram, Modi played the perfect host and took Xi for a guided tour of the famous world heritage sites of Arjuna's Penance, Krishna's Butterball, the Pancha Ratha and Shore temple.
The prime minister explained to the Chinese leader the historical significance of the monuments and Xi, wearing a white shirt and black trouser, was seen showing keen interest in the seventh century monuments built during the Pallava dynasty in this coastal town which had historical links with China's Fujian province. PTI
Both leaders are now attending a cultural programme at Shore temple in Mahabalipuram. A performance by Kalakshetra is underway.
Shore Temple in Mahabalipuram, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping are present at the temple site.
External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar and National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval meet Chinese President Xi Jinping, at Shore Temple in Mahabalipuram.
PM Modi and President Xi Jinping are at the Pancha Rathas complex in Mamallapuram. Both the leaders are on a tour of heritage sites now.
The Chinese President is receiving a guided tour of three monuments in Mahabalipuram including — Arjuna's Penance, Panch Rathas and Shore temple. Here, PM Modi is with Xi at Arjuna's Penance.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was decked up in a traditional attire met Chinese President Xi Jinping at Mahabalipuram Friday.
"From Wuhan to Chennai
President Xi Jinping arrived in Chennai to a warm and colourful welcome for the 2nd Informal Summit with PM," tweeted MEA Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar on Friday.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday chose the three languages of English, Tamil and Mandarin to wish his second informal meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping further strengthened bilateral ties. He used the three languages to welcome Xi to India. The coastal town of Mamallapuram, fortified and all decked up, will host the two leaders for their second informal summit, with Modi and Xi having earlier met in the Chinese city of Wuhan last year.
"Welcome to India, President Xi Jinping!," Modi tweeted in English, sharing similar messages in Tamil and Mandarin. Earlier in the day also, he had taken to Twitter to announce his arrival here to participate in the meet with Xi. PTI
WATCH | Chinese President Xi Jinping's convoy passes by Madhya Kailash on Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR) en route Mahabalipuram.
People waiting eagerly on the Chennai-Mamallapuram route to see Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
October 11, 2019:
2.10 pm: Xi Jinping will arrive at the Chennai International airport
4 pm: Xi Jinping will depart for Mahabalipuram
5 pm: The Chinese President will receive a guided tour of three monuments in Mahabalipuram including — Arjuna's Penance, Panch Rathas and Shore temple.
6 pm: A cultural programme will be organised for Jinping at Shore temple.
6.45 pm: PM Modi will host a dinner for the Chinese President.
October 12, 2019:
9.50 am: Xi Jinping will arrive at Taj Fisherman's Cover Resort and Spa in Chennai.
10 am: India and China will hold delegation level talks in Tango Hall at Taj Fisherman's Cover Resort and Spa.
11.45 am: PM Modi will host a lunch for Xi Jinping.
12.45 pm: Xi Jinping will depart for the Chennai International Airport.
1.30 pm: Jinping will board his flight from Chennai.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared pictures of Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit welcoming Xi Jinping at Chennai airport. The Chinese President and PM Modi will meet later today and are expected to discuss the new and updated confidence-building measures (CBMs) along the border and trade, among other things.
Chinese President Xi Jinping is on his way to ITC Grand Chola Hotel in Chennai, reports ANI. He will hold his second informal meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Mahabalipuram, later today.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has arrived in Chennai for summit with prime Minister Narendra Modi. PM Modi has already reached Mahabalipuram. The second informal summit between the two leaders will begin in Mahabalipuram shortly. Follow to get all the updates from the summit here!
PM Modi took an Air Force chopper to reach Mahabalipuram. Chennai is all set to welcome Chinese President Xi. He is scheduled to land at 2.10 pm.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was received by Governor Banwarilal Purohit, Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami and Deputy CM O Panneerselvam at the airport. The CM and the deputy CM also took to Twitter to welcome the Prime Minister.