File Photo of Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Chinese President Xi Jinping. (AFP Photo)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be accorded a rare "highest-level reception" by President Xi Jinping as the two leaders look to deepen their personal ties, Chinese official media said today.
PM Modi began his first trip to China since taking office a year ago by visiting the temple where Buddhist monk Xuanzang translated scriptures after an epic 17-year journey to India.
President Xi Jinping will accompany him throughout his stay in Xi'an, the capital of Shaanxi province, a report in the state-run China Daily said. "It is very rare for Chinese leaders to accompany foreign guests outside Beijing," the report said.
As the two leaders met for talks, President Xi told PM Modi: "You received me very warmly in your hometown. I am very glad to receive you in my hometown."
The Indian prime minister called it an honour for the125 crore Indians he represented.
President Xi's family is from Shaanxi province, and when he visited India in September, the trip began with PM Modi greeting the Chinese president in his home state Gujarat.
Previously known as Chang'an, Xi'an was a major city at the start of the ancient Silk Road, and the visit is a way for PM Modi to welcome China's "One Belt, One Road Initiative".
"Last year, you all saw how Prime Minister Modi warmly welcomed President Xi. This time you will also see President Xi and Premier Li (Keqiang) welcome Prime Minister Modi in a special way," the daily quoted Indian Ambassador Ashok Kantha as saying.
It said PM Modi has prepared carefully for the trip, and opened his Sina Weibo account so he could make contact with the people of China. He wrote six pieces over the next five days and attracted more than 46,000 fans, it said.
Mr Kantha said the countries are likely to agree on more than 10 projects and sign at least 20 agreements on economic and trade cooperation during the visit.
Le Yucheng, China's ambassador to India, said that if the visit goes well, the value of the deals to be signed will exceed USD 10 billion.
Also in an editorial titled 'Neighbours can usher in the Asian century', the Daily said leaders of the two countries "will draw a blueprint for closer collaboration in the future, which will be conducive to the common development and prosperity of the two neighbours and the region at large."
India is among the 57 founding members of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. The two neighbors also cooperate closely in such multilateral platforms as BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and maintain communication and coordination on major regional and global issues.
PM Modi will be given a formal state reception with a guard of honour before his talks with Premier Li Keqiang in Beijing on Friday.