India and China will hold delegation level talks to expand bilateral cooperation and strengthen ties. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and visiting Chinese President Xi Jinping will discuss important regional and international issues during the talks in New Delhi today.
The Chinese President, accompanied by his wife Peng Liyuan and a delegation of senior party functionaries and government officials, is on a three-day visit to India. He will be accorded ceremonial reception at the forecourt of the Rashtrapati Bhawan this morning. Thereafter, Mr Xi will visit Rajghat to pay homage to Mahatma Gandhi.
AIR correspondent reports, the focus of talks will be on boosting trade and investments, besides discussion on substantive issues including the unresolved boundary question.
Keen to boost its trade ties with India, the Chinese side has already indicated its willingness to invest billions of dollars in upgrading railway infrastructure, industrial parks, power generation and smart cities in India.
New Delhi is expected to seek market access in China for its IT and pharma companies and attract Chinese investment to reduce mounting trade deficit. The two countries are also expected to discuss cooperation in Civil Nuclear Energy.
Last year, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang had spoken about the need for such a cooperation.
Earlier yesterday, the Chinese President was accorded a grand welcome on his arrival in Ahmedabad. Gujarat Governor OP Kohli, Chief Minister Anandiben Patel and her senior cabinet colleagues welcomed Mr Xi at the Ahmedabad airport. Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed the Chinese President and the First Lady at the Hyatt Hotel in Ahmedabad and held a brief one to one discussion with Mr Xi.
Later India and China signed three MoUs. These MoUs were signed in the presence of Mr Modi and the Chinese President. The first MoU relates to the setting up of an industrial park in Gujarat. The second MoU is between Guangdong province and the Gujarat government for development of cultural and social ties between the two provinces.
The third MoU was signed between Guangzhou city of China and Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation to make the two as sister cities.
Mr Modi hosted a private dinner for the visiting dignitaries at the pictureque Sabarmati river front. Later the Chinese President left for New Delhi.
