Modi, Xi bonhomie sets tone for talks

Mangalore Today News Network

Ahmedabad: Sep 18, 2014, DHNS:  Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday extended a grand welcome to Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Sabarmati River Front Park in the heart of Ahmedabad.

 

The area had undergone a transformation within a few days for Xi’s brief visit to the city, to stress the importance of strengthening ties between the two countries.

Straight from the airport, Xi arrived at the Hyatt Hotel along with his wife, Peng Liyuan. The two were given a warm welcome by Modi. The two leaders immediately proceeded to have a brief one-on-one discussion.

On his first visit to India a year after he became President, Xi was taken around by Modi on a whirlwind business-cum-leisure trip, topped by a lavish Gujarati vegetarian dinner at the river front.

The Chinese leader was impressed by the huge gesture and, in return, promised investments in Gujarat. The bonhomie set the tone for serious talks scheduled for Thursday in New Delhi.

At the hotel, Modi showcased some of  the relics of Buddha found during excavations in his hometown of Vadnagar a few years ago. He also talked about the memoirs of Chinese traveller Hiuen Tsang and the historical connection between Gujarat and China.

Modi gifted the Chinese leader a Mahatma Gandhi photo and a replica of “charkha” as well as a copy of the Bhagawad Gita. Xi’s wife received a traditional chaniya choli. Earlier, the two leaders were welcomed by dancers from different parts of Gujarat. Dressed in Nehru jackets, the leaders sat on an ornate traditional swing.

The two leaders were served about 150 varieties of cuisine, special delicacies from different regions of Gujarat.

The two sides signed three MoUs — making Guangzhou and Ahmedabad as sister cities, setting up of industrial parks here and an agreement between Guangdong province and the Gujarat government for development of cultural and social ties between the two provinces.

However, the events were not free of controversies.  Tibetan protesters were detained, employees of the hotel hailing from the North-East were asked to take off for the day and slums were covered with plastic sheets.