Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday evening deliberated upon areas of investment that the two countries could encourage. They shared the view that they would work together to ensure that “radicalisation and terrorism” did not affect the fabric of “multi cultural, multi-ethnic and multi-religious societies” of their countries.
The two leaders began their two-day second ‘informal summit’ at Mamallapuram near here.
Briefing journalists after a two-and-a-half-hour-long dinner hosted by Mr. Modi for Mr. Xi that went beyond schedule, External Affairs Secretary Vijay Gokhale said the two leaders also touched upon issues concerning trade, especially “trade deficit and unbalanced trade.”
Arrangements hailed
The Foreign Secretary also pointed out that the two leaders had appreciated the Tamil Nadu government for “excellent arrangements.” Mr. Xi conveyed to Mr. Modi that he was “overwhelmed” by the reception that he got at the Chennai airport.
The discussions also covered historical and trade links between Tamil Nadu under Pallava and Chola dynasties, and the eastern coast city of Quanzhou in Fujiyan Province, where Tamil inscriptions and fragments of architecture, reflecting a possible temple built by Tamil traders in the 12th Century CE, were recently discovered. Mr. Xi and Mr. Modi deliberated upon the possibility of enhancing knowledge in this area.
Mr. Gokhale said the two leaders spent together nearly five hours.
It ended with the recital of “Raghupati Raghava Raja Ram,” a favourite ‘bhajan’ song of Mahatma Gandhi. Later, the two leaders took a photograph with all the artists. In the ambience of the Shore Temple, Mr. Modi hosted a dinner for Mr Xi.
“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 Ravesh Kumar tweeted.
Published - October 12, 2019 12:27 am IST
