The bilateral relationship between India and China is likely to get a fillip following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “informal meeting” with China's President Xi Jinping scheduled later this week.

According to Ma Zhanwu, Chinese Consul General in Kolkata, though there is no fixed agenda for the meeting, Modi’s visit to China would lead to strengthening of ties between the two countries.

“It is an informal meeting, more of one-on-one talks. But we expect the relationship will develop further following Modi’s visit,” he said at an interactive session on “Doing Business with China”, organised by the Merchants’ Chamber of Commerce and Industry here on Wednesday.

Post the Doklam stand-off, Chinese investments in India saw a substantial slide.

“Working together we can bring a lot of change; we will make a difference to the world,” Zhanwu said. Education, culture and handicrafts are some of the areas where both the countries can work together.

The Chinese consulate plans to host a higher education expo in Kolkata on May 10 and 11. At least 60 Chinese universities will participate in the event at the Biswa Bangla Convention Centre, he said. India should focus on exports to narrow the trade deficit with China. “It (trade deficit) is an interim problem, (and) will not last long,” he said.

On the proposed visit of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to China, he said, it would strengthen the “economic and trade ties” between China and Bengal. “We are working on the details of her visit; we hope it to be a fruitful trip,” he said.

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