Post Indo-China talks, Xi departs for Nepal

15:51 October 12

Chennai: Wrapping up a two-day visit to India for an informal summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chinese President Xi Jinping left for Nepal on Saturday from Chennai International Airport. 

Xi arrived in Chennai on Friday and held "heart-to-heart" and "candid discussions like friends" with Prime Minister Modi. This was their second informal meeting- the first being in China's Wuhan in April last year. 

The Chinese President had landed in Chennai on Friday and held a one-on-one discussion with Modi on various issues in the coastal historic city of Mamallapuram. They also discussed matters related to trade and the economy. The two leaders spent five hours of "quality time".

The two leaders started the second day of the summit with one-to-one talks which lasted for over an hour. Xi during the delegation-level talks said that he and Prime Minister Narendra Modi had "heart-to-heart" and "candid discussions like friends" on bilateral ties during the second informal summit here.

They concluded the summit with delegation-level talks between India and China. 

Upon his arrival, President Xi was accorded a grand welcome by people who lined the streets along with traditional drum players, creating a warm environment which personified the Indian belief of 'Atithi Devo Bhava'.

Xi said, "We are really overwhelmed by your hospitality. My colleagues and I have felt that very strongly. This will be a memorable experience for me and for us."

Prime Minister Modi took the visiting Chinese dignitary to three iconic monuments - Arjuna's Penance, Krishna's Butter Ball and the Shore Temple in Mamallapuram- before settling down for a colourful performance. Modi also gave a guided tour of the monuments to Xi.

The two leaders enjoyed a thrilling cultural performance at Shore Temple's complex in the evening. The programme showcased the Indian classical dance forms of Kathakali and Bharatnatyam to fast-paced Carnatic music, highlighting the region's magnificent roots.

Xi will head to Nepal from Chennai. As per the schedule, he will be landing in capital Kathmandu at around 4:30 PM.Xi is set to hold meetings with Nepal President Bidhya Devi Bhandari at Sheetal Niwas on Saturday evening followed by a dinner hosted by her. He will also hold talks with Nepal's

Former Prime Minister and Opposition Party Chairman Sher Bahadur Deuba.

Chinese President Xi will be meeting Pushpa Kamal Dahal "Prachanda" on Sunday morning which will be followed by the signing of agreements. 

13:40 October 12

Xi departs for Nepal

Chinese President Xi Jinping departs for Nepal; he was on a 2-day visit to India for the second informal summit with PM Narendra Modi in Mahabalipuram.

13:00 October 12

Post Indo-China talks, Chinese Presisent Xi departs for airport.

12:51 October 12

The hand-woven silk portrait of Chinese President Xi Jinping gifted by PM Narendra Modi, was created by weavers of Sri Ramalinga Sowdambigai Handloom Weavers Co-operative Society in Sirumugaipudur in Coimbatore district.

12:29 October 12

PM Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping at an exhibition on artefacts and handloom at Taj Fisherman's Cove hotel in Kovalam.

12:00 October 12

PM Modi at delegation-level talk

The Wuhan summit instilled a new momentum and trust in our relations and today's 'Chennai vision' is the start of a new era in India-China relations: Modi

11:59 October 12

Delegation-level talks underway

We are really overwhelmed by your hospitality. Me and my colleagues have felt that very strongly. This will be a memorable experience for me and us: Xi

11:59 October 12

Delegation-level talks underway

Yesterday Prime Minister as you said, you and I had engaged in candid conversations like friends, heart to heart discussions on bilateral relations: Chinese President Xi Jinping

11:58 October 12

PM Modi at delegation-level talk

There have been deep cultural and trade relations between China and the state of Tamil Nadu. For most part of the last 2000 years, India and China have been economic powers: PM Narendra Modi

11:58 October 12

PM Modi at delegation-level talk

The first informal summit between India and China last year in Wuhan led to fresh stability in our relations and gave a fresh momentum. Strategic communication between our two countries has also increased: PM Narendra Modi

11:47 October 12

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.

11:18 October 12

Closed-door  meeting between Modi and  Xi ends.

11:02 October 12

Location where the delegation-level talk between India and China is underway.

10:31 October 12

Meeting underway between PM Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping at Taj Fisherman's Cove hotel in Kovalam.

10:20 October 12

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping at Taj Fisherman's Cove hotel in Kovalam

10:19 October 12

PM Narendra Modi welcomes Chinese President Xi Jinping at Taj Fisherman's Cove hotel in Kovalam.

10:18 October 12

Chinese President Xi arrives for delegation level talk.

10:17 October 12

PM Modi starts second day of Mamallapuram summit by cleaning a beach in the city.

09:26 October 12

Post Indo-China talks, Xi departs for Nepal

Chennai: Modi received Xi at the entrance of the resort. The two leaders shook hands and then boarded a battery operated vehicle to reach their informal meeting room facing the Bay of Bengal.

The two leaders are expected to talk for about 40 minutes on a one-on-one basis.

There will also be delegation level discussions.

The leaders of the two most populous nations arrived here on Friday for the second Informal India-China Summit. The first one was held in Wuhan, China last year.

Briefing the media about the discussions Modi and Xi had on Friday, Indian Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale said the two leaders had detailed discussions on varied issues, including terrorism, increasing radicalisation, enhancing bilateral trade between the two nations and investments, among others.

Gokale said Modi and Xi were also expected to discuss international and regional issues.

Apart from the above, the two leaders and their officials will also discuss the bilateral trade and investments.

On the trade side, the discussions were expected to be centred around the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership and also Chinese industries requirements for making investments in India.

The bilateral trade between India and China is about $87 billion. The trade deficit is on India's side.

Even on Friday, they discussed about enhancing bilateral trade, investments and trade deficit.

The two leaders also agreed to enhance cultural tie-ups and knowledge sharing besides speaking about the ancient trade links that existed between the two countries.

The Second Informal India-China Summit will end with lunch and both the sides will be issuing separate statements.

In the afternoon Xi will fly out of India.