NEW DELHI -- Several agreements, including in the field of trade and tourism, are lined up for inking during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's six-day visit to China, Mongolia and South Korea beginning on May 14.
The prime minister, who will be in China on May 14-16, will land in Xi'an, the capital of Shaanxi province and the hometown of President Xi Jinping.
The two leaders will hold a summit meeting, and later Modi will visit places of cultural interest in Xi'an, Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar said at a briefing here on the prime minister's upcoming visit.
Modi will visit places associated with China's history and civilisation, the foreign secretary said.
Xi'an is associated with Chinese traveller Xuan Zang or Hieun Tsang, who had travelled extensively in India. Among the places Modi is set to visit is the Wild Goose Pagoda in Xi'an. He travels to Beijing later that evening.
In the morning of May 15, Modi will be accorded a formal welcome by Chinese Premier Li Keqiang. Both leaders will hold talks following which a "number of agreements" are slated to be inked, the foreign secretary said. Both leaders will also make media statements.
The first meeting of the India-China State and Provincial Leaders Forum will also be held, which is to be attended by chief ministers and mayors from both countries. Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis are slated to attend the event. A cultural event will follow, that will see yoga and Tai Chi being performed at the Temple of Heaven.
Modi will leave for Shanghai, which is a "business stop". On May 16, Modi will meet Chinese CEOs and address a business gathering. Some business agreements are expected to be inked during the Shanghai leg of the visit.
Modi will visit Fudan University and inaugurate a centre of Gandhian Studies there.
A full range of political, bilateral, multilateral issues and related to trade investment, tourism would feature in the talks between the two sides. He will make two addresses, at Chung Wa University in Beijing and a community function in Shanghai.
Modi will be in Mongolia on May 17, for the first visit by an Indian prime minister. He will present a sapling of the Bodhi tree to the chief abbot of the Gandan Monastery in Ulan Bator.
He will then meet Mongolian Prime Minister Chimed Saikhanbileg for talks during which several agreements are set to be inked, said Anil Wadhwa, secretary (east) in the external affairs ministry.
In a special gesture, the Mongolian parliament will be opened on a holiday (Sunday) for the first time to allow Modi to address lawmakers in Ulan Bator.
He will also meet President Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj and attend a banquet lunch in his honour.
Modi will then lay the foundation stone for an IT centre and also attend a national sporting festival and watch wrestling, archery events in an open arena, said Wadhwa. Modi will then attend a community reception and banquet in Ulan Bator.
Among the agreements to be inked are in the field of cyber security, an air services agreement and in cooperation in traditional systems of medicine.
Mongolia is marking its 25th anniversary of becoming a democracy and Buddhism is a major point of linkage.
Modi heads to South Korea on May 18 and after his arrival will lay a wreath at the Seoul National Cemetery. He will attend a reception by the Indian community, during which 1,500 members will be present. He will be accorded an official welcome after which he will hold talks with President Park Geun-hye.
A number of agreements are to be inked following which both the leaders will make press statements. President Park will host a banquet in honour of the Indian prime minister.
On May 19, Modi and Park are to attend the 6th Asian Leadership Conference in Seoul. Later, Modi will be taken on a tour of a stream in Seoul that has been cleaned up, and is a highlight of the city. President Park and the city mayor will accompany him.
He will also meet CEOs and visit the Hyundai shipbuilding yard at Ulsan. In Seoul, among the agreements to be inked are in the field of trade, shipping, logistics and in double taxation avoidance and new energy.
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