On the first day, Chinese President Xi Jingping arrives India for his second informal summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. PM Modi reaches Thiruvidanthai village near Kovalam town, where he was received by Tamil Nadu minister K Pandiarajan. As the aircraft carrying President Xi Jingping landed, he was received by chief minister Edappadi Palaniswami, deputy CM O Panneerselvam, governor Banwarilal Purohit. Following which Modi and Xi headed towards Mamallapuram. After receiving Xi Jinping, PM Narendra Modi, who wore Tamil traditional ‘veshti’, a shawl, and a shirt, shook hands with the Chinese president as the two leaders exchanged pleasantries. Modi strolled with Xi through the UNESCO world heritage sites of Arjuna’s Penance, Krishna’s Butterball, Pancha Ratha and Shore temple. Then PM Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping attended a 30 minute cultural programme at the Shore Temple at Mamallapuram. The cultural programme at the shore temple included Alarippu, a dance performance symbolising offering respect to God and teacher and Purappadu, a component of the initial part of Kathakali, a traditional Indian dance. This was followed by Sethubsndhanam, a short extract from from Ramayanam, depicting the building of a bridge for Shri Ram to cross to Sri Lanka to defeat Ravana and rescue Sita. A performance-based on Sant Kabir’s Bhajo re Bhaiya Ram Govind Hari followed. After which Prrime minister and the Chinese president then had traditional Tamil Nadu cuisine for dinner. Eight delegates from both sides were also invited for the dinner.
Beginning the second day of the India- China informal summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping met at Kovalam beach. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is in Mamallapuram, released a video of his morning walk ritual on his Twitter profile, in which the prime minister could be seen cleaning the beach alongside. Prime Minister Narendra Modi received Chinese president Xi Jinping to resume their conversation at the Taj Hotel where the former was staying. The two leaders took an eco-friendly ride to ‘Machan’ at Taj Fisherman’s Cove for another round of one-on-one meeting, followed by delegation-level talks and lunch. Delegation level meeting starts as Modi, Xi’s private meeting ends. Foreign minister, NSA present Delegation level talks between Indian and China have started. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale are present.
Chinese president says overwhelmed with your hospitality In his opening remarks at the delegation-level talks, Xi Jinping said, “I am overwhelmed by your warm hospitality and I want to thank you and the people of Tamil Nadu. This will be a memorable experience for me and us”. Modi and Xi visit visit exhibition of artifacts and handloom at Taj Fisherman’s Cove hotel in Kovalam, Tamil Nadu. The Indian prime minister gifted the Chinese president a handloom saree with his portrait woven into it, while the Chinese premier gave Modi a Bone China plate with his portrait painted over it. Xi Jinping departs from Taj hotel Chinese president Xi Jinping has left from Taj Fisherman’s Cove after holding talks with the Indian prime minister. He left for Nepal.