Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and the new Chinese President Xi Jinpinge will hold bilateral meeting in Durban today, on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit. The meeting between the two leaders will reinforce the growing importance that both countries give to each other. President Xi has already struck a positive note with his warm words for Dr. Manmohan Singh, saying he looked forward to meeting him in Durban.

After taking over the Presidentship of China on March 14, Xi had unveiled a five-point formula for improving ties with India, proposing accommodation of each other's concerns and proper handling of differences. He had said that Peace and tranquility should be maintained and border tensions should not affect the overall development of bilateral ties.