PM Modi, Xi Jinping's 2nd informal summit in Chennai on Oct 11-12: MEA

Chinese President Xi Jinping is all set to visit India from October 11 to 12 for the second informal summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In an official statement released by the Ministry of External Affairs, it is stated that the forthcoming Chennai Informal Summit "will provide an opportunity for the two leaders to continue their discussions on overarching issues of bilateral, regional and global importance". The two world leaders will exchange views on deepening India-China Closer Development Partnership. The Chinese President is visiting India for the second informal summit at the invitation of PM Modi. 

"At the invitation of the Prime Minister, the President of the People's Republic of China Xi Jinping will be visiting Chennai, India from October 11-12, 2019 for the 2nd Informal Summit," the MEA said in the statement. The two leaders had their inaugural Informal Summit in Wuhan, China on 27-28 April 2018.

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Preparations underway in Chennai

The summit will be held in the coastal town of Mamallapuram in Chennai. Ahead of the crucial summit between PM Modi and Xi Jinping, preparations are on the upswing in Mamallapuram. The historic coastal town is witnessing a flurry of activity, including infrastructure development in view of the high-level meet between leaders of both the countries. Reportedly, heritage monuments, including the Shore Temple, Five Rathas, Arjuna's Penance are being spruced up ahead of Chinese Premier's visit. Statues of Gautham Buddha and fighting bulls, a pointer to Tamil Nadu's tradition of 'Jallikattu" are among the sculptures coming up at vantage points at the world heritage site of Mamallapuram. 

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The ancient Pallava town has been chosen for the Modi-Xi meeting keeping in mind that Mahabalipuram was once the port way, which had connections with South East Asian countries like China that goes back to 7th to 9th century. It is also believed that the emperors before Pallavas also had trade deals with ancient China which adds significance to the destination of the meeting. 

Over 100 workers have been toiling to clean the monuments and give it a fresh look without causing any damage, strictly toeing all norms to protect them. Security has been beefed up in the area with around 2,000 policemen already on duty, and additional 5,000+ policemen to be deployed when the leaders will visit the town.

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