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Modi In China: PM Holds Summit-Level Talks With Chinese President

Xi, Modi Hold Summit-Level Talks In Xian
India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi (L) and China's President Xi Jinping shake hands before they hold a meeting in Xian, in China's Shaanxi province, on May 14, 2015. Modi began a three-day trip to China on May 14 by inspecting the Terracotta Warriors as a festering border dispute colours relations between the Asian giants. AFP PHOTO / POOL / Kim Kyung-Hoon (Photo credit should read KIM KYUNG-HOON/AFP/Getty Images)
KIM KYUNG-HOON via Getty Images
India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi (L) and China's President Xi Jinping shake hands before they hold a meeting in Xian, in China's Shaanxi province, on May 14, 2015. Modi began a three-day trip to China on May 14 by inspecting the Terracotta Warriors as a festering border dispute colours relations between the Asian giants. AFP PHOTO / POOL / Kim Kyung-Hoon (Photo credit should read KIM KYUNG-HOON/AFP/Getty Images)

XIAN, China -- Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping today began summit-level talks during which the two leaders are expected to discuss a host of issues, including the contentious boundary dispute and China's plans for infrastructure projects in PoK.

Xi warmly welcomed Modi at the Shaanxi Guest House here as the two leaders shook hands for photographs.

In his opening remarks, Modi appreciated the Chinese leader for warmly receiving him outside Beijing.

"This is an honour to 125 crore Indians whom I am representing as Prime Minister," said Modi, who was wearing a black bandhgala suit.

Talks between PM @narendramodi & China's Prez Xi Jinping very substantive: Foreign Secy Jaishankar #ModiInChina

https://t.co/T5lQbw2b5n

— TIMES NOW (@TimesNow) May 14, 2015

Recalling his visit to Ahmedabad in September last year, President Xi said, "You received me very warmly in your hometown. I am very glad to receive you in my hometown."

While Modi spoke in Hindi, Xi made his remarks in Chinese.

Embarking on the three-day visit to China that will take him to Beijing and Shanghai after Xi'an, Modi had expressed confidence that his trip would deepen mutual trust, work out a roadmap for upgrading bilateral economic ties and set a "new milestone" for Asia and developing nations.

President Xi Jinping attaches a great deal of importance to PM Modi’s visit to China: Victor Gao #ModiInChinapic.twitter.com/C017zQdB4X

— ANI (@ANI_news) May 14, 2015

Modi, who is undertaking his first visit to China as Prime Minister, reached the ancient city of Xi'an this morning and was accorded a grand welcome.

Xi is meeting Modi in his hometown of Xi'an in an unusual departure from normal protocol that is being seen as a reciprocal gesture by the Chinese leader who was hosted by Modi in Ahmedabad when he visited India.

Am very glad to see the enthusiasm among the people of China. People-to-people ties are always special.

https://t.co/8kD1jCicFx

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 14, 2015

Irritants like the boundary issue and China's plans for infrastructure projects in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) stand in the way of taking the bilateral ties forward and were likely to be discussed by the two leaders.

Modi has met President Xi three times during the last one year and held extensive talks on a wide range of issues.

The Prime Minister is being accompanied by National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar and other senior officials.

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This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost India, which closed in 2020. Some features are no longer enabled. If you have questions or concerns about this article, please contact indiasupport@huffpost.com.