Modi-Xi talks enter final day: Here's what's going on
What's the story
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping began their final and most "informal" round of talks on Saturday in Wuhan. The duo's two-day informal summit aimed at improving bilateral ties and addressing issues plaguing India-China relations will be wound up today after a one-on-one lunch. Here's what PM Modi is set to do on his last day in China.
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Modi hoping to make informal India-China summits a norm
"I hope such informal summits become a tradition between both the countries. I'll be happy if, in 2019, we can have such (an) informal summit in India," said PM Modi.
Itinerary
Modi and Xi's itinerary for Saturday
Modi and Xi began their Saturday with a walk beside Wuhan's East Lake, accompanied by no one apart from a translator from each side. The duo are then scheduled to take a boat ride on the East Lake, and witness a classical Chinese tea-making ceremony while engaging on topics touching international, national, and bilateral issues. The final lunch will be held after the ride.
Positives
PM Modi, President Xi, Chinese state media all optimistic
PM Modi has already invited President Xi Jinping for another informal summit in India in 2019. President Xi said his meetings with PM Modi have addressed important issues and have sent positive signal to the world about potential mutually beneficial cooperation between India and China. Chinese state media was also optimistic about the outcome of the talks.
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China and India are "natural partners" says Chinese state-run media
"...Neither Beijing nor New Delhi calls the other an enemy, which means both expect bilateral ties to improve...China and India are natural partners, and both realise they carry the hopes of the other developing countries to improve international relations," said the state-run China Daily.
Focus of summit
The summit is a unique one, focusing on informal discussions
The summit between PM Modi and President Xi Jinping has been said to be unique as the two leaders are not expected to strike any agreements. Instead, the informal summit's focus is about having candid discussions on vexing bilateral issues like the border question. Modi and Xi are expected to have laid out broad outlines of better communication by the end of the summit.