Modi meets Xi in Wuhan for an informal summit

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi is in Wuhan for a two-day informal summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping to discuss major bilateral and global matters. Here’s what to expect from the visit, which will see the two leaders in a “heart-to-heart” dialogue to build consensus and resolve long-standing issues plaguing India-China relations.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping will seek to repair strained ties at a summit on April 27-28 after the 73-day long Doklam dispute marred relations last year.

The two-day summit in Wuhan city, billed as a “heart-to-heart” informal meeting, will have the two leaders review and chart a new course for India-China relations from a strategic and long-term perspective.

“President Xi and I will exchange views on a range of issues of bilateral and global importance. We will discuss our respective visions and priorities for national development, particularly in the context of current and future international situation,” PM Modi said before departing for China last evening.

The Indian Prime Minister has a packed itinerary, which includes a one-on-one meeting with Xi, a tour of one of the best known museums of China, dinner by a picturesque lake side followed by talks with top officials over the course of his stay.

The two leaders would spend most of time interacting with each other at “relaxed meetings” — like a boat ride and walk by the East Lake — only accompanied by translators with one-on-one conversations focussing on global, regional and bilateral issues.

Modi and Xi will also hold two meetings in the presence of six top officials from their respective countries, though sources insisted it would be incorrect to describe them as formal delegation-level talks.

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