Mahabalipuram: The historic town of Mahabalipuram is all set to welcome Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping for the second informal summit in Tamil Nadu between October 11 and 13.
The arrangements are in full swing with administration working round the clock to ensure adequate security and cleanliness across the city for the summit.
According to reports, objective of the meet is to build an informal connect. The government sources also said that no Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) will be signed and both the leaders will not be issuing a joint statement during President Xi's visit.
Chinese President Xi Jinping will be accompanied by China's Foreign Minister and Politburo members. PM Narendra Modi and President Xi are likely to decide dates for the next Special Representatives talks. Both the nationas are expected to hold anti-terror exercise in December 2019.
The meet will focus on delegation-level talks with National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval and External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar expected to attend the summit in Chennai.
The aim of the summit will be to initiate dialogue on issues like Trade deficit, People-to-people contact, Bilateral anti-terrorism exercise, and other regional issues. The meet will also focus on UNSC reforms and challenges faced by WTO.
Besides, India does not see Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan's visit to China ahead of the Chinese President's visit to India as 'hyphenation.'
The local residents are awaiting the summit as they say it would enhance tourism opportunities in the town help Mahabalipuram attain global fame.
"We are happy that our area got cleaned as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping are likely to visit soon. This is a historic place and now with the expected visit of the two leaders, the city has got cleaner, roads have been repaired and security arrangements have been made," a sculptor said.
"We are happy that our Mahabalipuram will be known globally and tourism will increase because of this visit," he added.
Tentative Program of Chinese President Xi Jinping
October 11, 2019
- Chinese President Xi Jinping would be arriving in Chennai at around 1.20 PM on Friday.
- At the time of his arrival, no domestic and international flights would be operated for about 10 to 15 minutes and airlines are advised to reschedule their timings.
- A Grand welcome will be accorded with traditional dance and music at the airport.
- After some rest, he would leave for Mahabalipuram, about 55 km by road.
- Along with PM Narendra Modi, he would be visiting Arjuna's penance at 5 pm, Five Rathas at 5:20 pm and the famous Shore temple at 5:45 pm.
PM would be staying at the Hotel Taj Fisherman Cove, Mahabalipuram.
- A cultural evening will be held for the leaders. PM Modi will host the Dinner.
October 12, 2019
- 9:00 AM: President Xi would leave for Mahabalipuram to hold bilateral talks with PM Modi.
- PM Modi will host a luncheon meeting with President Xi.
- After meeting he will leave for Chennai at around 1PM.
- At around 2:20 President Xi will leave for China.
Mahabalipuram was the point of contact for the Chinese to import and export goods from Western civilizations. Subsequently, Indian traders also visited Chinese ports. According to Rajavel, during the reign of Narasimha Pallava (ruled 630 - 668 AD), he sent an emissary to the Chinese court. The capital of Pallavas, Kanchipuram is mentioned in Chinese as 'Kwan chi'.
Based on the request of Chinese kings, Pallavas reportedly built a Buddhist monastery at Nagapattinam in Tamil Nadu where Buddhism flourished. The monastery was also repaired during the reign of Cholas. Scottish civil servant and naturalist, Walter Elliot of East India Company during his expedition stumbled upon this monastery. It showed that Chinese monastery was in Nagapattinam, Pallava and Chola kings patronised Buddhist monks in that monastery.
Besides, the Chinese connection also helped the weavers of Tamil Nadu to learn the art of silk weaving. (Kanchipuram is presently known for its silk sarees). It could be noted that Chinese pilgrim, Xuanzang, coming to Tamil Nadu during the reign of Pallavas, first landed in Mahabalipuram to reach the Pallava capital, Kanchipuram.
