By Our Diplomatic Affairs Bureau
CHENNAI/NEW DELHI/BEIJING: Chinese Premier Xi Jinping was on Friday got surprised after receiving tumultuous welcome on arrival at India’s southern city of Chennai in Tamil Nadu.
Flanked by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Jinping visited several historical and religious places and was seen in happy mood.
In the backdrop of 7th century rock-cut chariots of Pancha Ratha overlooking the Bay of Bengal, Modi and Jinping sipped coconut water and engaged in casual interaction in a serene setting, sending signs of positive atmospherics in bilateral ties strained over Kashmir following New Delhi abrogated Article 370 and 51(A), which had empowered special status to the State of Jammu and Kashmir.
Modi, dressed in a Tamil attire of veshti, white shirt and an angavastram, took Xi for a guided tour of the famous world heritage sites of Arjuna’s Penance, Krishna’s Butterball, the Pancha Ratha and Shore temple in this ancient temple town, kicking off the second informal summit between the two leaders.Meanwhile, other side of Indian border, Islamabad is watching the development very carefully.
“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.
Xi’s visit to India comes two days after he held talks with Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan in Beijing. After the talks, a joint statement said China is paying “close attention” to the situation in Kashmir and that the issue should be properly and peacefully resolved based on the UN Charter. The comments evoked sharp reaction from New Delhi, India’s leading English Daily, The Hindu reported.
A Tamil classic song Shanti nilava vendum (Let peace prevail) to the accompaniment of dance wrapped up the cultural programme watch by Modi and Xi. The song, a very popular number, bats for peace everywhere and building spiritual strength, saying it is the diktat of Mahatma Gandhi. After the cultural event, Modi hosted Xi for a private dinner at the Shore temple complex. Eight delegates from each side were also invited for the dinner and they sat in tables little away from Xi and Modi’s. Delicately selected authentic Tamil cuisines including vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes were served in the dinner.
