After landing in Chennai, Chinese President Xi Jinping will now proceed to Mamallapuram, 50 km away, amid tight security by road to hold the second informal summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. PM Modi and Chinese President Xi will be accompanied by National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Politburo members will accompany the Chinese leader.
No Memoranda of Understanding or agreements will be signed as it will be an informal summit looking to forge a cooperative partnership between the two countries.
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Kalakshetra students to perform at Mamallapuram
A cultural programme will be held on Friday evening by students of famed dance group Kalakshetra in the honour of Chinese President Xi Jinping who arrived in Chennai to initiate a two-day informal summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the coastal city of Mamallapuram.
Chinese President Xi Jinping arrives in Chennai
Chinese President Xi Jinping arrives in Chennai. The second informal summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi will begin in Mahabalipuram today. :ANI
Venue for meeting boasts of UNESCO world site heritage tag
Mamallapuram, where the meeting between PM Modi and Xi Jinping will be held, boasts of a UNESCO world site heritage tag and is famous for ancient stone carvings and stone temples of the Pallava dynasty period. A large number of monuments in city date back to the period of 630-670 AD, also known as the reign of Narasimhavarman-I.
First informal Summit between the leaders was held in Wuhan
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping held the first informal summit in Wuhan in 2018. It took place in the backdrop of the 72-days-long Doklam stand-off between Indian and Chinese soldiers in 2017 when the Chinese troops undertook construction work in the area bordering India, China, and Bhutan. India and China both withdrew after long negotiations that many feared could escalate.
Meeting venue sealed, no access even for media photographers
The venue for Friday’s meeting have been sealed since Thursday night, with no access even for media photographers.
Discussion over dinner hosted by PM Modi to be ‘most substantive’
The dinner hosted by PM Modi at the Shore Temple complex will allow for the most substantive engagement between the two leaders on Friday, people familiar with the developments said.
Key roads to be sealed in Chennai
Several key roads will be completely sealed while Xi’s motorcade drives to and from Mamallapuram on Friday and other routes, including one leading from Chennai to the seaside resort, are inaccessible to the public.
Chennai airport decked up ahead of Xi Jinping’s arrival
Chennai International Airport is all decked up ahead of the arrival of President of China, Xi Jinping.
Tamil Nadu: Chennai International Airport all decked up ahead of the arrival of President of China, Xi Jinping. The Chinese President and PM Narendra Modi will begin their second informal meeting in Mahabalipuram today. pic.twitter.com/FU73rzT3Lm
— ANI (@ANI)October 11, 2019
Xi Jinping will stay at ITC Grand Chola Hotel
Xi Jinping will arrive at ITC Grand Chola Hotel in Chennai after his arrival at Chennai International Airport.
Tamil Nadu: President of China, Xi Jinping will arrive at ITC Grand Chola Hotel in Chennai after his arrival at Chennai International Airport. The second informal summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and him, will begin in Mahabalipuram today. pic.twitter.com/haWBur6dhP
— ANI (@ANI)October 11, 2019
Tibetan students protesting, holding ‘Free Tibet’ flags, arrested
Hours before Prime Minister Narendra Modi landed in Chennai, five Tibetan students were detained by the city police for staging a protest and shouting slogan at Guindy, in front of the ITC Hotel, where Xi will stay during his visit.
The five students, who breached a police cordon and shouted slogans demanding independence for Tibet while holding “Free Tibet” flags, were taken away by the police.
#WATCH Chennai: Police detained Tibetan activists who were protesting outside the ITC Grand Chola Hotel where Chinese President Xi Jinping will arrive later today. #TamilNadu pic.twitter.com/fgJkQyX0gs
— ANI (@ANI)October 11, 2019
Over 5,000 security personnel deployed around Mahabalipuram
A multi-layered security drill, including the sealing of key roads, has been put in place in and around the seaside resort of Mahabalipuram ahead of the arrival of Chinese President Xi Jinping. More than 5,000 security personnel are part of the extensive security arrangements in and around Mamallapuram. The India Navy has deployed warships at some distance from the shore.
PM Modi hopes Summit will strengthen ties between India, China
“Landed in Chennai. I am happy to be in the great land of Tamil Nadu, known for its wonderful culture and hospitality. It is gladdening that Tamil Nadu will host President Xi Jinping. May this Informal Summit further strengthen ties between India and China,” Tweeted PM Modi.
Leaders to visit Arjuna’s Penance, Panch Rathas, Shore Temple
PM Modi and Xi Jinping will visit Arjuna’s Penance, Panch Rathas and the Shore Temple. This will be followed by dinner, hosted by PM Modi for the Chinese president.
Ajit Doval, Jaishankar to accompany PM Modi during meet
Xi will be accompanied by China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Politburo members on his visit to India. From the Indian side, National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval and EAM S Jaishankar will accompany the Prime Minister.
Xi Jinping to reach Chennai at 2.10 pm
China’s President Xi Jinping will arrive in Chennai today at 2.10 pm.
PM Modi arrives in Chennai
Prime minister Narendra Modi has landed in Chennai for the two-day informal summit.
Summit’s focus to be on how to forge cooperative partnership
The focus of the summit will be on how to move beyond the past and present differences to forge a cooperative partnership between Indian and China.
No MoUs, agreements to be signed
Chinese President and PM Modi will not be signing any documents during their meet since the talks between the two leaders are informal.
Xi Jinping to reach Chennai post noon
The Chinese President Xi Jinping will reach Chennai on October 11 post noon.
PM Modi, Xi Jinping to meet in Tamil Nadu’s Mahabalipuram
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping will meet in Tamil Nadu’s Mahabalipuram today for a two-day informal summit. This is the second informal summit held by the two leaders.
Source: HindustanTimes