In a first, bilateral pacts to be signed outside Delhi

In a first for bilateral ties between India and China, the visiting Chinese President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will witness the signing of agreements in Ahmedabad on September 17.

“This is a first in terms of the Prime Minister and the Chinese President witnessing signing of agreements outside Delhi. Usually agreements are signed in Delhi which the two leaders witness,” a spokesman of the Ministry of External Affairs said on Monday. He, however, did not get into the specifics of the agreements.

Interestingly, earlier this year, during the visit of Vice-President Hamid Ansari to China, the two countries had signed a memorandum of understanding where they agreed to facilitate the setting up of industrial parks in India. Gujarat is one of the States where China is keen to set up an industrial park.

“The Prime Minister is keen to move on that decision at a rapid pace. We are working to actualise the MoU with concrete outcomes during this visit,” the spokesman said.

After restricted and delegation level talks between the two leaders here in Delhi “it is hoped that both the leaders will witness signing of several agreements if these are the outcome of discussions,” the next day, the spokesman added.

In response to whether the issue of smart cities and high speed trains will come up during talks between the two leaders, the spokesman said, “Both these issues are of importance to the Prime Minister. You will not be incorrect in thinking that these elements are likely to figure in any discussions.”

President Xi Jinping will be the third Chinese President to visit India. During the three-day visit, Jinping is to meet President Pranab Mukherjee, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan and Congress President Sonia Gandhi.

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