File photo of Chinese President Xi Jinping (Associated Press)
Chinese President Xi Jinping will arrive in Ahmedabad today on a three-day visit which will focus on significantly ramping up trade and investment, besides addressing the contentious border issue that has seen occasional flare ups between the two Asian giants.
India expects that the visit will address the "interests and concerns" of both the countries and that "all substantive" issues having bearing on the ties including the boundary dispute will be discussed.
Keen to boost its trade ties with India, the Chinese side has already indicated that it will pledge to invest billions of dollars in India's railway, manufacturing and infrastructure projects during the Xi's visit, the third by any Chinese President to India.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has already arrived in Ahmedabad to welcome Xi, said India seeks greater engagement with China but at the same time sought progress on "issues of concern" saying their resolution will transform the atmosphere in the relations.
"I am looking forward to deepening our engagement across the full spectrum of our bilateral relations, but also seeking progress on issues of concern, because resolution of these issues will transform the atmosphere in our relations and allow us to realise the full potential of our relations," he said.
PM Modi will welcome Xi, who is accompanied by a high-level delegation including two senior members of Polit Bureau and the Chinese Commerce Minister, at his hotel today, which will also be the Prime Minister's 64th birthday.
Xi will visit Mahatma Gandhi's Sabarmati Ashram and will spend some time along with Mr Modi who will host a private dinner for the Chinese President at the Sabarmati riverfront.
The leaders will witness signing of pacts before heading to the Ashram.