Modi-Xi Hold Meetings To ‘Solidify’ Relationship

Wuhan: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping held multiple meetings on Friday, to ‘solidify’ the India-China relationship in Wuhan. The meeting becomes crucial after tension prevailed among the two countries over the Dokalam standoff, which lasted for 73 days last year.

Prior to the talks with Xi, a grand welcome ceremony was hosted for Modi at the Hubei Provincial Museum. The two leaders also witnessed a cultural show, before their ‘informal meeting.’

“The two leaders had a one-on-one meeting during which they exchanged views on solidifying our bilateral relationship,” Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said was quoted by PTI.

A delegation-level talks was also held in which six officals from each country participated.

Extending invitation to India, Modi offered to host President Xi for a similar informal summit next year.

“I will be happy, if in 2019, we can have such informal summit in India,” Modi is reported to have told Xi. President Xi spoke about building a common understanding between the two countries.

“I believe in the future, we will meet in format like this, from time to time. I look forward to in-depth communication with your Excellency, and ensure we can build common understanding and help to take the China-India relationship to the next level,” Xi said.

As a token of appreciation, Modi presented President Xi with the reprints of two paintings curated by Chinese painter Xu Beihong, during his stay at Shantiniketan.