US&nbsp;President Donald Trump on Thursday praised his relationship with Chinese President Xi Jinping as officials from the world's two largest economies began trade talks in Beijing, while state media said China would stand up to US&nbsp;bullying.

A breakthrough deal to fundamentally change China's economic policies is viewed as highly unlikely during the two days of talks, though a package of short-term Chinese measures could delay Washington's decision to impose tariffs on about $50 billion worth of Chinese exports.

The discussions, led by US&nbsp;Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Chinese Vice Premier Liu He, are expected to cover a wide range of US&nbsp;complaints about China's trade practices, from accusations of forced technology transfers to state subsidies for technology development.

"Thrilled to be here. Thank you," Mnuchin told Reuters at his hotel when asked if he expected progress. He made no other comments.

As Mnuchin arrived, Trump tweeted: "Our great financial team is in China trying to negotiate a level playing field on trade! I look forward to being with President Xi in the not too distant future. We will always have a good (great) relationship!"

It was not clear when Trump and Xi might meet again next, though both will likely attend some of the same multilateral summits this year, including those of the G20 and APEC.

Throughout his 2016 election campaign, Trump routinely threatened to impose a 45 percent across-the-board tariff on Chinese goods as a way to level the playing field for American workers. At the time, he was also accusing China of manipulating its currency to gain an export advantage, a claim that his administration has since dropped.

The US&nbsp;Embassy in Beijing said the US&nbsp;delegation planned to meet Chinese officials on both days, in addition to US&nbsp;Ambassador Terry Branstad, before leaving on Friday evening.

The delegation returned to their hotel late on Thursday evening without taking questions from reporters, though, when asked how the talks were going, one unidentified US&nbsp;official said "Well."

In Washington, the US-China Business Council, which represents American companies doing business in China, said it was pleased the two governments were talking and urged a deal to end forced technology transfers and improve China's intellectual property protections.

"USCBC believes it is unlikely that the issues will be fully resolved in this meeting, but we hope the two sides will be able to lay out a path for continued negotiations that will lead to a solution and avoid tariffs and other commerce-slowing sanctions," the group said in a statement.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said at a briefing in Beijing: "The outcome should be mutually beneficial and win-win."

In a commentary widely cited in Chinese media on Thursday, the official Xinhua news agency said if things went poorly and a trade war did break out, China would never yield and would hit back strongly.

"China will inevitably suffer losses, but China has the political advantage of a centralised and unified leadership and support of a massive domestic market," it said.

The official China Daily said in an editorial that China would "stand up to the US' bullying as necessary."

"The US&nbsp;wants greater access to China's market, but it should not use trade actions as a battering ram to force China to open its doors. It is already in the process of opening them wider," the English-language newspaper said.

In doing so, China expected Washington to reciprocate and open its market to Chinese investment and competition, it said.

US&nbsp;tariffs ready in&nbsp;June

The first round of threatened tariffs under the US&nbsp;government's "Section 301" intellectual property probe focused heavily on technology products benefiting from a "Made in China 2025" programme to upgrade China's domestic manufacturing base with more advanced products.

The US&nbsp;tariffs could go into effect in June following the completion of a 60-day consultation period.

US-based trade experts said they expected Beijing to offer Trump's team a package of policy changes that may include some previously announced moves, such as a phase-out of joint venture requirements for some sectors, auto tariff reductions and increased purchases of US&nbsp;goods.

Trump has demanded a $100 billion annual reduction in the $375 billion US&nbsp;goods trade deficit with China.

But members of the diverse US&nbsp;trade delegation, which includes US&nbsp;Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and White House trade adviser Peter Navarro, both of whom have been critical of China, are likely to have differing views on the merits of such an offer. 
&nbsp;

A breakthrough deal to fundamentally change China's economic policies is viewed as highly unlikely during the two days of talks

US President Donald Trump on Thursday praised his relationship with Chinese President Xi Jinping as officials from the world's two largest economies began trade talks in Beijing, while state media said China would stand up to US bullying. A breakthrough deal to fundamentally change China's economic policies is viewed as highly unlikely during the two days of talks, though a package of short-term Chinese measures could delay Washington's decision to impose tariffs on about $50 billion worth of Chinese exports. The discussions, led by US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Chinese Vice Premier Liu He, are expected to cover a wide range of US complaints about China's trade practices, from accusations of forced technology transfers to state subsidies for technology development. "Thrilled to be here. Thank you," Mnuchin told Reuters at his hotel when asked if he expected progress. He made no other comments. As Mnuchin arrived, Trump tweeted: "Our great financial team is in China trying to negotiate a level playing field on trade! I look forward to being with President Xi in the not too distant future. We will always have a good (great) relationship!" It was not clear when Trump and Xi might meet again next, though both will likely attend some of the same multilateral summits this year, including those of the G20 and APEC. Throughout his 2016 election campaign, Trump routinely threatened to impose a 45 percent across-the-board tariff on Chinese goods as a way to level the playing field for American workers. At the time, he was also accusing China of manipulating its currency to gain an export advantage, a claim that his administration has since dropped. The US Embassy in Beijing said the US delegation planned to meet Chinese officials on both days, in addition to US Ambassador Terry Branstad, before leaving on Friday evening. The delegation returned to their hotel late on Thursday evening without taking questions from reporters, though, when asked how the talks were going, one unidentified US official said "Well." In Washington, the US-China Business Council, which represents American companies doing business in China, said it was pleased the two governments were talking and urged a deal to end forced technology transfers and improve China's intellectual property protections. "USCBC believes it is unlikely that the issues will be fully resolved in this meeting, but we hope the two sides will be able to lay out a path for continued negotiations that will lead to a solution and avoid tariffs and other commerce-slowing sanctions," the group said in a statement. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said at a briefing in Beijing: "The outcome should be mutually beneficial and win-win." In a commentary widely cited in Chinese media on Thursday, the official Xinhua news agency said if things went poorly and a trade war did break out, China would never yield and would hit back strongly. "China will inevitably suffer losses, but China has the political advantage of a centralised and unified leadership and support of a massive domestic market," it said. The official China Daily said in an editorial that China would "stand up to the US' bullying as necessary." "The US wants greater access to China's market, but it should not use trade actions as a battering ram to force China to open its doors. It is already in the process of opening them wider," the English-language newspaper said. In doing so, China expected Washington to reciprocate and open its market to Chinese investment and competition, it said. US tariffs ready in June The first round of threatened tariffs under the US government's "Section 301" intellectual property probe focused heavily on technology products benefiting from a "Made in China 2025" programme to upgrade China's domestic manufacturing base with more advanced products. The US tariffs could go into effect in June following the completion of a 60-day consultation period. US-based trade experts said they expected Beijing to offer Trump's team a package of policy changes that may include some previously announced moves, such as a phase-out of joint venture requirements for some sectors, auto tariff reductions and increased purchases of US goods. Trump has demanded a $100 billion annual reduction in the $375 billion US goods trade deficit with China. But members of the diverse US trade delegation, which includes US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and White House trade adviser Peter Navarro, both of whom have been critical of China, are likely to have differing views on the merits of such an offer.

Trump praises China's Xi as trade talks begin in Beijing

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday left for India after holding a two-day informal summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping in the central Chinese city, Wuhan.

Modi had arrived in China on Thursday for the unprecedented informal summit with Xi.

The prime minister held one-on-one talks with Xi which is being seen as an effort by India and China to rebuild trust and improve ties that were hit by the 73-day-long Dokalam standoff last year.

The two leaders exchanged views on "solidifying" the India-China relationship and decided to issue strategic guidance to their respective militaries to strengthen communications and to build trust and understanding.

They recognised terrorism as a common threat and committed to cooperate further on counter-terrorism.

Modi also offered to host the next informal summit with Xi in India next year, a proposal which elicited a positive response from the Chinese president.

The two leaders began their informal meetings way back in 2014 when Xi was hosted by Modi at the Sabarmati Ashram of Mahatma Gandhi in Gujarat. They have met and interacted with each other in about a dozen international meetings since then.

This is the fourth visit of Modi to China after he came to power in 2014. He is again due to visit China to take part in the SCO summit to be held at Qingdao city on June 9-10.&nbsp

Modi was seen off by Chinese Vice Foreign Minister, Kong Xuanyou and Chinese Ambassador to India, Luo Zhaohui and other officials.&nbsp

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The prime minister held one-on-one talks with Xi which is being seen as an effort by India and China to rebuild trust and improve ties that were hit by the 73-day-long Dokalam standoff last year.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday left for India after holding a two-day informal summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping in the central Chinese city, Wuhan. Modi had arrived in China on Thursday for the unprecedented informal summit with Xi. The prime minister held one-on-one talks with Xi which is being seen as an effort by India and China to rebuild trust and improve ties that were hit by the 73-day-long Dokalam standoff last year. The two leaders exchanged views on "solidifying" the India-China relationship and decided to issue strategic guidance to their respective militaries to strengthen communications and to build trust and understanding. They recognised terrorism as a common threat and committed to cooperate further on counter-terrorism. Modi also offered to host the next informal summit with Xi in India next year, a proposal which elicited a positive response from the Chinese president. The two leaders began their informal meetings way back in 2014 when Xi was hosted by Modi at the Sabarmati Ashram of Mahatma Gandhi in Gujarat. They have met and interacted with each other in about a dozen international meetings since then. This is the fourth visit of Modi to China after he came to power in 2014. He is again due to visit China to take part in the SCO summit to be held at Qingdao city on June 9-10. Modi was seen off by Chinese Vice Foreign Minister, Kong Xuanyou and Chinese Ambassador to India, Luo Zhaohui and other officials. China: Prime Minister Narendra Modi departs for Delhi from Wuhan. pic.twitter.com/gDxjIyy3Md — ANI (@ANI) April 28, 2018 ×

Modi leaves for India after informal summit with Xi in China

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping have decided to issue strategic guidance to their respective militaries to strengthen communications and to build trust and understanding, Foreign Secretary Vijay&nbsp;Gokhale said.

"PM Modi and President Xi also recognised the common threat posed by terrorism and both reiterated their strong condemnation of a resolute opposition to terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. Both committed to cooperate further in counter-terrorism,"&nbsp;&nbsp;Gokhale added.

On the India-China boundary subject, Gokhale said Prime Minister Modi and President Xi decided that they will issue a strategic guidance to their respective militaries to strengthen communications between them.

"The two leaders underscored that it is important to maintain peace along the India-China border region and decided that they will issue strategic guidance to their respective militaries to strengthen communications between the two militaries in order to build trust and understanding. Information sharing arrangements will be improved to prevent and manage situations along the border areas," he said.

His remarks came at the end of the 'heart-to-heart' summit between Modi and Xi which is being seen as an effort by India and China to rebuild trust and improve ties that were hit by the 73-day-long Dokalam standoff last year.

"The two leaders were of the view that the two countries have the maturity and wisdom to handle all our differences through peaceful discussions within the context of the overall relationships and bearing in mind, we would respect each other's sensitivities, concerns and aspirations," Gokhale said.

They agreed to strengthen greater strategic communications between the two sides, he said.

The two leaders recognised terrorism as the common threat and committed to cooperate further on counter-terrorism, the top Indian diplomat said.&nbsp;

(With agency inputs)

On the India-China boundary subject, Gokhale said Prime Minister Modi and President Xi decided that they will issue a strategic guidance to their respective militaries to strengthen communications between them.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping have decided to issue strategic guidance to their respective militaries to strengthen communications and to build trust and understanding, Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale said. "PM Modi and President Xi also recognised the common threat posed by terrorism and both reiterated their strong condemnation of a resolute opposition to terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. Both committed to cooperate further in counter-terrorism," Gokhale added. On the India-China boundary subject, Gokhale said Prime Minister Modi and President Xi decided that they will issue a strategic guidance to their respective militaries to strengthen communications between them. "The two leaders underscored that it is important to maintain peace along the India-China border region and decided that they will issue strategic guidance to their respective militaries to strengthen communications between the two militaries in order to build trust and understanding. Information sharing arrangements will be improved to prevent and manage situations along the border areas," he said. His remarks came at the end of the 'heart-to-heart' summit between Modi and Xi which is being seen as an effort by India and China to rebuild trust and improve ties that were hit by the 73-day-long Dokalam standoff last year. "The two leaders were of the view that the two countries have the maturity and wisdom to handle all our differences through peaceful discussions within the context of the overall relationships and bearing in mind, we would respect each other's sensitivities, concerns and aspirations," Gokhale said. They agreed to strengthen greater strategic communications between the two sides, he said. The two leaders recognised terrorism as the common threat and committed to cooperate further on counter-terrorism, the top Indian diplomat said. (With agency inputs)

Modi, Xi agree to issue strategic guidance to their militaries to strengthen communications

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping walked together at the picturesque East Lake here on Saturday.

On the second and last day of the informal summit, the two leaders were seen actively engaging with each other while walking by the lake.

Also, no aides were present with the two leaders.

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The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Raveesh Kumar captured the moment."Taking India-China relations on a forward-looking path, charting the future direction of the relationship! PM @narendramodi and Chinese President Xi take a walk together along the East Lake in Wuhan today morning," he wrote.

After the walk, Prime Minister Modi and President Xi will take a boat ride at the East Lake.The East Lake, a large freshwater lake in Wuhan city, is the largest urban lake in China.

It is one of the most popular tourist sites in the country, with over a million visiting the lake annually.

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This will be followed by a private lunch hosted by the Chinese President in honour of Prime Minister Modi.At an event on Friday, Prime Minister Modi and President Xi were welcomed by a live band in Wuhan city playing an instrumental rendition of 1982 Bollywood hit song from `Yeh Vaada Raha` - `Tu, tu hai wahi, dil ne jise apna kaha.`

The Prime Minister, who is currently on a two-day visit to China, will depart for India on Saturday afternoon.&nbsp;

The two leaders yesterday held extensive talks amid the warmth and bonhomie.

They started the summit talks at the Hubei Provincial Museum where Xi took Modi around introducing the historic artefacts.

The museum walk scheduled for 20 minutes lasted over 40 minutes after which they began one-on-one talks.

The summit was stated to be unique as the two leaders have no pressure and obligation to strike any agreements nor make big announcements but focus mainly on candid discussions on solutions to some of the vexed problems like the boundary question and other issues.

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Their one-on-one talks were followed by delegation-level interaction with six top officials each from both sides took part, giving an impression that some of the critical issues were on the table for discussion.

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale and Indian Ambassador to China Gautam Bambawale were present in the meeting.

Xi headed a high-powered delegation which included Member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee Ding Xuexiang, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Yang Jiechi and State Councillor and Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi.

The delegation talks which apparently focussed on some of the most contentious issues lasted for over two hours overshooting scheduled half an hour, hinting the seriousness of the discussions, officials said.

Later Xi hosted a banquet in the honour of Modi at East Lake.&nbsp;

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Taking India-China relations on a forward-looking path, charting the future direction of the relationship! PM <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@narendramodi</a> and Chinese President Xi take a walk together along the East Lake in Wuhan today morning. <a href="https://t.co/KzBSbgR4dB">pic.twitter.com/KzBSbgR4dB</a>
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&nbsp;

Today's talks included a walk around the famous East Lake here and an hour-long boat ride.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping walked together at the picturesque East Lake here on Saturday. On the second and last day of the informal summit, the two leaders were seen actively engaging with each other while walking by the lake. Also, no aides were present with the two leaders. #WATCH China: Prime Minister Narendra Modi & Chinese President Xi Jinping take a walk along East Lake in Wuhan. pic.twitter.com/2v4nzR41da — ANI (@ANI) April 28, 2018 × The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Raveesh Kumar captured the moment."Taking India-China relations on a forward-looking path, charting the future direction of the relationship! PM @narendramodi and Chinese President Xi take a walk together along the East Lake in Wuhan today morning," he wrote. After the walk, Prime Minister Modi and President Xi will take a boat ride at the East Lake.The East Lake, a large freshwater lake in Wuhan city, is the largest urban lake in China. It is one of the most popular tourist sites in the country, with over a million visiting the lake annually. China: Prime Minister Narendra Modi & Chinese President Xi Jinping inside a house boat in Wuhan's East Lake. pic.twitter.com/liYCxlRiXA — ANI (@ANI) April 28, 2018 × This will be followed by a private lunch hosted by the Chinese President in honour of Prime Minister Modi.At an event on Friday, Prime Minister Modi and President Xi were welcomed by a live band in Wuhan city playing an instrumental rendition of 1982 Bollywood hit song from `Yeh Vaada Raha` - `Tu, tu hai wahi, dil ne jise apna kaha.` The Prime Minister, who is currently on a two-day visit to China, will depart for India on Saturday afternoon. The two leaders yesterday held extensive talks amid the warmth and bonhomie. They started the summit talks at the Hubei Provincial Museum where Xi took Modi around introducing the historic artefacts. The museum walk scheduled for 20 minutes lasted over 40 minutes after which they began one-on-one talks. The summit was stated to be unique as the two leaders have no pressure and obligation to strike any agreements nor make big announcements but focus mainly on candid discussions on solutions to some of the vexed problems like the boundary question and other issues. China: Prime Minister Narendra Modi & Chinese President Xi Jinping inside a house boat in Wuhan's East Lake. pic.twitter.com/2VrpcPXz30 — ANI (@ANI) April 28, 2018 × Their one-on-one talks were followed by delegation-level interaction with six top officials each from both sides took part, giving an impression that some of the critical issues were on the table for discussion. National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale and Indian Ambassador to China Gautam Bambawale were present in the meeting. Xi headed a high-powered delegation which included Member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee Ding Xuexiang, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Yang Jiechi and State Councillor and Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi. The delegation talks which apparently focussed on some of the most contentious issues lasted for over two hours overshooting scheduled half an hour, hinting the seriousness of the discussions, officials said. Later Xi hosted a banquet in the honour of Modi at East Lake. Taking India-China relations on a forward-looking path, charting the future direction of the relationship! PM @narendramodi and Chinese President Xi take a walk together along the East Lake in Wuhan today morning. pic.twitter.com/KzBSbgR4dB — Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) April 28, 2018 ×

Day 2 of PM Modi-Xi informal summit starts with stroll by lake in Wuhan

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said he held "extensive and fruitful" talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping during their first round of two-day informal summit at the&nbsp;picturesque Wuhan city.&nbsp;

"I am very pleased to meet with President Xi Jinping in Wuhan. We conducted extensive and fruitful talks and exchanged opinions on strengthening India-China relations and other international issues," Modi said in a post in the popular Chinese social media Weibo, where he has 1,83,112 followers.&nbsp;

"Thank you, President Xi Jinping, for the wonderful gesture of personally accompanying me in the Hubei Provincial Museum. The Museum is home to great facets of Chinese history and culture," Modi was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Modi and Xi are due to conclude their unprecedented informal summit today, seen as an effort by India and China to rebuild trust and improve ties that were hit by the 73-day-long Dokalam standoff last year.

Modi and Xi are due to conclude their unprecedented informal summit today, seen as an effort by India and China to rebuild trust and improve ties that were hit by the 73-day-long Dokalam standoff last year.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said he held "extensive and fruitful" talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping during their first round of two-day informal summit at the picturesque Wuhan city. "I am very pleased to meet with President Xi Jinping in Wuhan. We conducted extensive and fruitful talks and exchanged opinions on strengthening India-China relations and other international issues," Modi said in a post in the popular Chinese social media Weibo, where he has 1,83,112 followers. "Thank you, President Xi Jinping, for the wonderful gesture of personally accompanying me in the Hubei Provincial Museum. The Museum is home to great facets of Chinese history and culture," Modi was quoted as saying by news agency PTI. Modi and Xi are due to conclude their unprecedented informal summit today, seen as an effort by India and China to rebuild trust and improve ties that were hit by the 73-day-long Dokalam standoff last year.

Held 'extensive, fruitful' talks with Xi, says Modi in Chinese social media Weibo

After resuming the Day 2 of their `informal talks` with a walk along the East Lake here today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping enjoyed a boat ride.

On the second and last day of the informal summit, the two leaders were seen riding on a houseboat and chatting over tea - a `chai pe charcha` moment.

The East Lake, a large freshwater lake in Wuhan city, is the largest urban lake in China. It is one of the most popular tourist sites in the country, with over a million visiting the lake annually.

This will be followed by a private lunch hosted by the Chinese President in honour of Prime Minister Modi.Prime Minister Modi is on a two-day visit to China to participate in an unprecedented `informal` summit with President Xi, which is expected to reset the bilateral ties between the two Asian giants, which took a hit post the two-month-long Doklam standoff last year.

Modi will leave for India on Saturday.&nbsp;

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&nbsp;

On the second and last day of the informal summit, the two leaders were seen riding on a houseboat and chatting over tea - a `chai pe charcha` moment.

After resuming the Day 2 of their `informal talks` with a walk along the East Lake here today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping enjoyed a boat ride. On the second and last day of the informal summit, the two leaders were seen riding on a houseboat and chatting over tea - a `chai pe charcha` moment. The East Lake, a large freshwater lake in Wuhan city, is the largest urban lake in China. It is one of the most popular tourist sites in the country, with over a million visiting the lake annually. This will be followed by a private lunch hosted by the Chinese President in honour of Prime Minister Modi.Prime Minister Modi is on a two-day visit to China to participate in an unprecedented `informal` summit with President Xi, which is expected to reset the bilateral ties between the two Asian giants, which took a hit post the two-month-long Doklam standoff last year. Modi will leave for India on Saturday. #WATCH China: Prime Minister Narendra Modi & Chinese President Xi Jinping have tea after a walk along East Lake in Wuhan. pic.twitter.com/5BuROg31Cg — ANI (@ANI) April 28, 2018 ×

PM Modi-Xi's 'chai pe charcha' on Wuhan lake

Prime Minister Narendra Modi <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-arrives-in-wuhan-for-two-day-informal-summit-with-xi-jinping-133066">arrived at picturesque Wuhan city</a> in central China, at 12:30am on Friday, ahead of his much anticipated informal meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

The meeting comes in the backdrop of the efforts made by <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/modi-xi-summit-all-about-the-indo-sino-ties-from-past-to-present-133147">both India and China</a> to move past the tensions, which rose out of last year's 73-day Doklam stand-off.

"In the informal summit the objective is that both of the leaders talk with each other to the maximum. There is <a href="http://www.wionews.com/videos/wion-fineprint-no-set-agenda-for-modi-xi-talks-at-wuhan-as-many-bilateral-issues-to-be-discussed-133065">no fixed agenda</a> to this. There will be no agreements or MoUs signed," India's ambassador to China, Gautam Bambawale, said.

We want to give both the leaders and environment where both of them may talk to each other specifically, he added.

Prime Minister Modi will commence his meetings with Chinese President Xi at 3:30pm on Friday at the Hubei Provincial Museum. After touring the museum for about an hour, the two leaders, accompanied by six top officials from each side, will hold talks at the sprawling East Lake Guest House, where Xi is staying.

This will be followed by the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/modi-xi-all-set-for-heart-to-heart-summit-133136">leaders' walk</a>. Dinner will be hosted by Chinese President Xi at the guest house in <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/all-you-need-to-know-about-wuhan-the-venue-for-informal-modi-xi-meet-132911">central Wuhan</a>.

"Indians should see this as a very sincere effort on the path of improving their relationship. It is in our national interest to succeed. There is a very strong sense that the India-China factor can bring a lot of stability. Asia would welcome the news of the informal summit as well as India," India's former foreign secretary S Jaishankar said.

On Saturday, the two leaders will have opportunity to spend time without their aides as with Xi taking Modi for a lakeside walk and a boat ride on the picturesque East Lake. This will be followed by a private lunch hosted by the Chinese President.

"One of the main objectives of the informal summit is discussion between the two leaders. Otherwise the objective is to give opportunity to the two leaders to speak to each other. They might have a walk in the park, they might go for boating in East Lake in Wuhan and thereby discussing some of the most important issues from the world," said Bambawale.

"When two leaders of big countries meet, then they don’t talk about specific micro issues," he said, adding, "India, China will be setting a new trend with the informal meeting."

No joint statement or communique will be issued after the informal talks.

According to the sources, the informal talks will be broad-based and over arching and no specific issues will be discussed. The idea is to open strategic communication channel at the highest level.

On Saturday, the two leaders will have opportunity to spend time without their aides as with Xi taking Modi for a lakeside walk and a boat ride on the picturesque East Lake.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived at picturesque Wuhan city in central China, at 12:30am on Friday, ahead of his much anticipated informal meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The meeting comes in the backdrop of the efforts made by both India and China to move past the tensions, which rose out of last year's 73-day Doklam stand-off. "In the informal summit the objective is that both of the leaders talk with each other to the maximum. There is no fixed agenda to this. There will be no agreements or MoUs signed," India's ambassador to China, Gautam Bambawale, said. We want to give both the leaders and environment where both of them may talk to each other specifically, he added. Prime Minister Modi will commence his meetings with Chinese President Xi at 3:30pm on Friday at the Hubei Provincial Museum. After touring the museum for about an hour, the two leaders, accompanied by six top officials from each side, will hold talks at the sprawling East Lake Guest House, where Xi is staying. This will be followed by the leaders' walk. Dinner will be hosted by Chinese President Xi at the guest house in central Wuhan. "Indians should see this as a very sincere effort on the path of improving their relationship. It is in our national interest to succeed. There is a very strong sense that the India-China factor can bring a lot of stability. Asia would welcome the news of the informal summit as well as India," India's former foreign secretary S Jaishankar said. On Saturday, the two leaders will have opportunity to spend time without their aides as with Xi taking Modi for a lakeside walk and a boat ride on the picturesque East Lake. This will be followed by a private lunch hosted by the Chinese President. "One of the main objectives of the informal summit is discussion between the two leaders. Otherwise the objective is to give opportunity to the two leaders to speak to each other. They might have a walk in the park, they might go for boating in East Lake in Wuhan and thereby discussing some of the most important issues from the world," said Bambawale. "When two leaders of big countries meet, then they don’t talk about specific micro issues," he said, adding, "India, China will be setting a new trend with the informal meeting." No joint statement or communique will be issued after the informal talks. According to the sources, the informal talks will be broad-based and over arching and no specific issues will be discussed. The idea is to open strategic communication channel at the highest level.

Private lunch, candid dialogue but no set agenda for Modi-Xi talks at Wuhan

The ongoing visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Wuhan City adds another milestone to the long-term bilateral relation, shared between India and China.

The meeting comes in the backdrop of the efforts made by both India and China to move past the tensions, which rose out of last year's Doklam standoff.

Starting from 1950, India became the first non-socialist bloc country to establish diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China, as reported in a press release by the Ministry of External Affairs.

Further, then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi's visit in 1988 helped to thaw the Indo-China tensions following the 1962 conflict between the two countries.

In 1993, an Agreement on the Maintenance of Peace and Tranquility was signed between India and China along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) during the visit of then Prime Minister Narasimha Rao, which reflected the growing stability and substance in the bilateral ties.

Further, in 2003, former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee visited China, during which the two sides had signed a Declaration on Principles for Relations and Comprehensive Cooperation and also mutually decided to appoint Special Representatives (SRs) to "to explore the framework of a boundary settlement from the political perspective".

In April 2005, former Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao visited India. The two sides established Strategic and Cooperative Partnership for Peace and Prosperity, while the signing of an agreement on Political Parameters and Guiding Principles.

During former Chinese President Hu Jintao's visit to India in November 2006, the two sides issued a Joint Declaration containing a ten-pronged strategy to intensify cooperation.

Former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh visited China in January 2008. A joint document, titled "A Shared Vision for the 21st Century" was issued during the visit, the statement read.

During former Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao's visit to India in December 2010, the two sides jointly set a bilateral trade target of USD 100 billion for 2015.

According to the statement, over 60 percent of the agreements between the two Asian giants have been signed during the last decade.

Till date, both the sides have established 36 dialogue mechanisms covering diverse sectors.

In March 2012, then Chinese President Hu Jintao visited India for the BRICS Summit.

In terms of defence exchanges, the fifth round of the Annual Defence Dialogue concluded in Beijing on 14 January 2013.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-xi-informal-summit-from-walk-to-boat-ride-what-all-to-expect-133087">PM Modi-Xi informal summit: From </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-xi-informal-summit-from-walk-to-boat-ride-what-all-to-expect-133087">walk</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-xi-informal-summit-from-walk-to-boat-ride-what-all-to-expect-133087"> to </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-xi-informal-summit-from-walk-to-boat-ride-what-all-to-expect-133087">boat</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-xi-informal-summit-from-walk-to-boat-ride-what-all-to-expect-133087"> ride, what all to expect</a>

Further, in 2014, the present Chinese President Xi Jinping visited India. A total of 16 agreements were signed in various sectors- including commerce and trade, railways, space -cooperation, pharmaceuticals, audio-visual coproduction, culture, the establishment of industrial parks, and sister-city arrangements.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the two countries to open an additional route for Kailash Mansarovar Yatra in India through Nathu La pass in China.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had embarked on his maiden two-day visit to China in 2015.

Prime Minister Modi and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang held bilateral talks. The two leaders had then welcomed the move to initiate a State/Provincial Leaders' Forum to advance the bilateral relationship between the two nations.

This was part of record 24 bilateral agreements signed between the two neighbouring countries, amounting to USD 10 billion.

The duo kick-started this forum by attending its first meeting held in Beijing.

Further, Prime Minister Modi also announced the extension of the e-visa facility to Chinese nationals wishing to travel to India.

Later in 2016, former Indian President Pranab Mukherjee visited China's Guangdong and Beijing to meet the Chinese leaders and attended a roundtable between Vice Chancellors and Heads of institutions of higher learning of the two countries.

Ten MoUs, providing for enhanced faculty and student exchanges, were signed.

The visit was to reciprocate the historic visit of President Xi Jinping to India in September 2014.

He also delivered a keynote at China's Peking University.

The latest in the line of visits of the leaders of both countries was Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who visited China in 2017 to participate in the G20 summit in Hangzhou and September 2017 to participate in the BRICS Summit in Xiamen.

The two leaders also met along the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Heads of States Summit in Tashkent in June 2016 and in Astana in June 2017.

Earlier in 2016, President Xi Jinping visited India to participate in the BRICS summit at Goa.

Starting from 1950, India became the first non-socialist bloc country to establish diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China

The ongoing visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Wuhan City adds another milestone to the long-term bilateral relation, shared between India and China. The meeting comes in the backdrop of the efforts made by both India and China to move past the tensions, which rose out of last year's Doklam standoff. Starting from 1950, India became the first non-socialist bloc country to establish diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China, as reported in a press release by the Ministry of External Affairs. Further, then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi's visit in 1988 helped to thaw the Indo-China tensions following the 1962 conflict between the two countries. In 1993, an Agreement on the Maintenance of Peace and Tranquility was signed between India and China along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) during the visit of then Prime Minister Narasimha Rao, which reflected the growing stability and substance in the bilateral ties. Further, in 2003, former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee visited China, during which the two sides had signed a Declaration on Principles for Relations and Comprehensive Cooperation and also mutually decided to appoint Special Representatives (SRs) to "to explore the framework of a boundary settlement from the political perspective". In April 2005, former Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao visited India. The two sides established Strategic and Cooperative Partnership for Peace and Prosperity, while the signing of an agreement on Political Parameters and Guiding Principles. During former Chinese President Hu Jintao's visit to India in November 2006, the two sides issued a Joint Declaration containing a ten-pronged strategy to intensify cooperation. Former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh visited China in January 2008. A joint document, titled "A Shared Vision for the 21st Century" was issued during the visit, the statement read. During former Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao's visit to India in December 2010, the two sides jointly set a bilateral trade target of USD 100 billion for 2015. According to the statement, over 60 percent of the agreements between the two Asian giants have been signed during the last decade. Till date, both the sides have established 36 dialogue mechanisms covering diverse sectors. In March 2012, then Chinese President Hu Jintao visited India for the BRICS Summit. In terms of defence exchanges, the fifth round of the Annual Defence Dialogue concluded in Beijing on 14 January 2013. Also read: PM Modi-Xi informal summit: From walk to boat ride, what all to expect Further, in 2014, the present Chinese President Xi Jinping visited India. A total of 16 agreements were signed in various sectors- including commerce and trade, railways, space -cooperation, pharmaceuticals, audio-visual coproduction, culture, the establishment of industrial parks, and sister-city arrangements. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the two countries to open an additional route for Kailash Mansarovar Yatra in India through Nathu La pass in China. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had embarked on his maiden two-day visit to China in 2015. Prime Minister Modi and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang held bilateral talks. The two leaders had then welcomed the move to initiate a State/Provincial Leaders' Forum to advance the bilateral relationship between the two nations. This was part of record 24 bilateral agreements signed between the two neighbouring countries, amounting to USD 10 billion. The duo kick-started this forum by attending its first meeting held in Beijing. Further, Prime Minister Modi also announced the extension of the e-visa facility to Chinese nationals wishing to travel to India. Later in 2016, former Indian President Pranab Mukherjee visited China's Guangdong and Beijing to meet the Chinese leaders and attended a roundtable between Vice Chancellors and Heads of institutions of higher learning of the two countries. Ten MoUs, providing for enhanced faculty and student exchanges, were signed. The visit was to reciprocate the historic visit of President Xi Jinping to India in September 2014. He also delivered a keynote at China's Peking University. The latest in the line of visits of the leaders of both countries was Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who visited China in 2017 to participate in the G20 summit in Hangzhou and September 2017 to participate in the BRICS Summit in Xiamen. The two leaders also met along the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Heads of States Summit in Tashkent in June 2016 and in Astana in June 2017. Earlier in 2016, President Xi Jinping visited India to participate in the BRICS summit at Goa.

PM Modi-Xi summit: All about Indo-Sino ties, from past to present

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/will-be-happy-if-we-can-have-informal-summit-in-india-next-year-pm-modi-tell-president-xi-during-delegation-level-talks-133246">'Will be happy if we can have </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/will-be-happy-if-we-can-have-informal-summit-in-india-next-year-pm-modi-tell-president-xi-during-delegation-level-talks-133246">informal</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/will-be-happy-if-we-can-have-informal-summit-in-india-next-year-pm-modi-tell-president-xi-during-delegation-level-talks-133246"> summit in India,' Modi to President Xi during delegation-level talks</a>

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi held delegation-level talks at Wuhan on Friday as the two leaders engaged each other for the second time in less than a year after the BRICS summit.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/my-democratic-right-to-vote-in-karnataka-elections-says-vijay-mallya-133253">'My democratic right to vote in Karnataka elections,' says Vijay Mallya</a>

As the extradition battle continued in a UK court, ex-liquor baron Vijay Mallya said even though it is his "democratic right" to vote in the impending Karnataka Assembly elections but his bail conditions won't allow him to leave the UK.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/the-speed-with-which-you-constructed-it-and-the-scale-inspired-me-says-modi-to-president-xi-133224">Watch: PM Modi on museum tour with Xi at Wuhan</a>

As Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping began talks during the two-day summit on Friday, the Indian PM said the speed and scale with which China constructed the three gorges dam 'inspired him'.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/key-takaways-from-korean-leaders-joint-statement-from-historic-summit-133240">Key </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/key-takaways-from-korean-leaders-joint-statement-from-historic-summit-133240">takaways</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/key-takaways-from-korean-leaders-joint-statement-from-historic-summit-133240"> from Korean leaders' joint statement from </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/key-takaways-from-korean-leaders-joint-statement-from-historic-summit-133240">historic</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/key-takaways-from-korean-leaders-joint-statement-from-historic-summit-133240"> summit</a>

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and South Korean President Moon Jae-in signed a joint statement on Friday after meeting at the heavily fortified demilitarised zone between their countries.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/entertainment-avengers-infinity-war-review-the-film-is-worth-all-the-hype-and-some-more-133230">'Avengers: Infinity War' is worth all the hype and some more</a>

It boils down to this. 10 years of marvellous films from the Marvel Cinematic Universe culminates into one epic finale called Avengers Infinity War - a film that will make you pant in excitement from the first shot and leave you dumbstruck by the ending.&nbsp;

'Will be happy if we can have informal summit in India,' Modi to President Xi during delegation-level talks Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi held delegation-level talks at Wuhan on Friday as the two leaders engaged each other for the second time in less than a year after the BRICS summit. 'My democratic right to vote in Karnataka elections,' says Vijay Mallya As the extradition battle continued in a UK court, ex-liquor baron Vijay Mallya said even though it is his "democratic right" to vote in the impending Karnataka Assembly elections but his bail conditions won't allow him to leave the UK. Watch: PM Modi on museum tour with Xi at Wuhan As Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping began talks during the two-day summit on Friday, the Indian PM said the speed and scale with which China constructed the three gorges dam 'inspired him'. Key takaways from Korean leaders' joint statement from historic summit North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and South Korean President Moon Jae-in signed a joint statement on Friday after meeting at the heavily fortified demilitarised zone between their countries. 'Avengers: Infinity War' is worth all the hype and some more It boils down to this. 10 years of marvellous films from the Marvel Cinematic Universe culminates into one epic finale called Avengers Infinity War - a film that will make you pant in excitement from the first shot and leave you dumbstruck by the ending.

News brief: Big stories of the day

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President&nbsp;Xi Jinping are holding a friendly, informal and one-on-one conversations focussing on global, regional and bilateral issues at Hubei Provincial Museum in&nbsp;the central Chinese city of Wuhan on Friday.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The dialogue between two Asian powerhouses&nbsp;is expected to cement India-China ties although no agenda has been set up for the meeting.

Earlier&nbsp;Modi was accorded a red carpet welcome as Xi welcomed him with a handshake and cultural extravaganza&nbsp;for the 'informal summit'.&nbsp;

This is PM Modi's fourth visit to China since he took over as prime minister of India.&nbsp;

This is the first time both the leaders are meeting post-Doklam&nbsp;tensions.

The dialogue will be followed by talks between the two leaders accompanied by six top officials from each side. The two will have one-on-one dinner at the famous East Lake, a favourite holiday destination of China's revolutionary leader Mao Zedong.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

They will resume their one-on-one interaction tomorrow at 10 a.M (local time) with walks by the lakeside, boat ride and wind up their talks over lunch, official sources here said.

The two leaders began their informal meetings way back in 2014 when Xi was hosted by Modi at the Sabarmati Ashram of Mahatma Gandhi in Gujarat. They have met and interacted with each other in about a dozen international meetings since then.

But this will be their "heart-to-heart" informal summit. There will be no agreement signed or a joint statement issued.

It is a summit, according to the officials, to forge consensus to resolve the issues with follow up actions by officials than announcing any agreements. This is something the leaders of the two countries have never tried so far, they said.

The details of the informal summit was not disclosed but officials said it included walks by the two leaders in the East Lake where they will have a boat ride and take walks just accompanied by their translators.

The summit is being seen as an effort by India and China to rebuild trust and improve ties that were hit by the 73-day-long Dokalam standoff last year among other contentious issues.

In a pre-departure statement, Prime Minister Modi said he and President Xi will review the developments in Sino-Indian relations from a strategic and long-term perspective.

"President Xi and I will exchange views on a range of issues of bilateral and global importance. We will discuss our respective visions and priorities for national development, particularly in the context of current and future international situation," Modi said.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

China's state media said the informal Xi-Modi meeting heralds a new chapter in Sino-Indian relations.

During the last year's Doklam standoff the two sides came close to war, an article in the state-run Global Times said.

It dragged Sino-Indian relations down to their lowest level since the 1962 Sino-Indian border War. Obviously, the Doklam standoff did not happen all of a sudden, but was the result of the accumulation of mistrust between the two countries," it said.

The Xi-Modi meeting in 2018 following the 2017 Dokalam standoff will, without doubt, promote mutual trust and reciprocity between the two countries, and will be a cornerstone of a stable long-term relationship between China and India," the article said.&nbsp;

This will be the fourth visit of Modi to China after he came to power in 2014. He is again due to visit China to take part in the SCO summit to be held at Qingdao city on June 9-10.&nbsp;

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping are holding a friendly, informal and one-on-one conversations focussing on global, regional and bilateral issues at Hubei Provincial Museum in the central Chinese city of Wuhan on Friday. The dialogue between two Asian powerhouses is expected to cement India-China ties although no agenda has been set up for the meeting. Earlier Modi was accorded a red carpet welcome as Xi welcomed him with a handshake and cultural extravaganza for the 'informal summit'. This is PM Modi's fourth visit to China since he took over as prime minister of India. This is the first time both the leaders are meeting post-Doklam tensions. The dialogue will be followed by talks between the two leaders accompanied by six top officials from each side. The two will have one-on-one dinner at the famous East Lake, a favourite holiday destination of China's revolutionary leader Mao Zedong. They will resume their one-on-one interaction tomorrow at 10 a.M (local time) with walks by the lakeside, boat ride and wind up their talks over lunch, official sources here said. The two leaders began their informal meetings way back in 2014 when Xi was hosted by Modi at the Sabarmati Ashram of Mahatma Gandhi in Gujarat. They have met and interacted with each other in about a dozen international meetings since then. But this will be their "heart-to-heart" informal summit. There will be no agreement signed or a joint statement issued. It is a summit, according to the officials, to forge consensus to resolve the issues with follow up actions by officials than announcing any agreements. This is something the leaders of the two countries have never tried so far, they said. The details of the informal summit was not disclosed but officials said it included walks by the two leaders in the East Lake where they will have a boat ride and take walks just accompanied by their translators. The summit is being seen as an effort by India and China to rebuild trust and improve ties that were hit by the 73-day-long Dokalam standoff last year among other contentious issues. In a pre-departure statement, Prime Minister Modi said he and President Xi will review the developments in Sino-Indian relations from a strategic and long-term perspective. "President Xi and I will exchange views on a range of issues of bilateral and global importance. We will discuss our respective visions and priorities for national development, particularly in the context of current and future international situation," Modi said. China's state media said the informal Xi-Modi meeting heralds a new chapter in Sino-Indian relations. During the last year's Doklam standoff the two sides came close to war, an article in the state-run Global Times said. It dragged Sino-Indian relations down to their lowest level since the 1962 Sino-Indian border War. Obviously, the Doklam standoff did not happen all of a sudden, but was the result of the accumulation of mistrust between the two countries," it said. The Xi-Modi meeting in 2018 following the 2017 Dokalam standoff will, without doubt, promote mutual trust and reciprocity between the two countries, and will be a cornerstone of a stable long-term relationship between China and India," the article said. This will be the fourth visit of Modi to China after he came to power in 2014. He is again due to visit China to take part in the SCO summit to be held at Qingdao city on June 9-10.

Modi-Xi bonhomie on full display as Wuhan summit gets underway

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is flying to China today for an 'informal meeting' with President Xi Jinping, which has piqued the interest of media as well as international affairs experts across the globe.

PM Modi and President Xi will be meeting in Wuhan, the capital of China's Hubei province and a commercial centre divided by the Yangtze and Han rivers. As per Encyclopaedia Britannica, the government of newly-formed People's Republic of China merged three cities namely Hankou, Hanyang and Wuchang into one single entity of Wuhan.

Wuhan is a strategically located city and its geographical centrality - it is almost equidistant from capital Beijing, Guangzhou, Shanghai and Chongqing - gives it commercial significance.

The continuous recording of settlement in Wuhan and neighbouring areas dates back to thousands of years. The three cities - which were merged into one to carve out Wuhan - had served as capital cities of many dynasties in imperial Chinese, including the Ming dynasty.

The region has also served as the base for major revolutions in 20th century China, like the Chinese revolution in 1911 and workers' strike in 1923, according to Encyclopaedia Britannica. Mao Zedong also used to run a Peasant Movement Institute in Wuchang.

Hanyag was the site of China's first modern-day steel plant, and Wuhan later became second most important metallurgical centre of China. The iron and steel base has attracted other industries Wuhan is the largest centre of heavy machine tools manufacturing in China.

Wuhan is at the centre of a wide network of river, rail and road transportation from almost every direction which makes it a key collecting and distribution point for different products.

Wuhan is a strategically located city and its geographical centrality gives it commercial significance.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is flying to China today for an 'informal meeting' with President Xi Jinping, which has piqued the interest of media as well as international affairs experts across the globe. PM Modi and President Xi will be meeting in Wuhan, the capital of China's Hubei province and a commercial centre divided by the Yangtze and Han rivers. As per Encyclopaedia Britannica, the government of newly-formed People's Republic of China merged three cities namely Hankou, Hanyang and Wuchang into one single entity of Wuhan. Wuhan is a strategically located city and its geographical centrality - it is almost equidistant from capital Beijing, Guangzhou, Shanghai and Chongqing - gives it commercial significance. The continuous recording of settlement in Wuhan and neighbouring areas dates back to thousands of years. The three cities - which were merged into one to carve out Wuhan - had served as capital cities of many dynasties in imperial Chinese, including the Ming dynasty. The region has also served as the base for major revolutions in 20th century China, like the Chinese revolution in 1911 and workers' strike in 1923, according to Encyclopaedia Britannica. Mao Zedong also used to run a Peasant Movement Institute in Wuchang. Hanyag was the site of China's first modern-day steel plant, and Wuhan later became second most important metallurgical centre of China. The iron and steel base has attracted other industries Wuhan is the largest centre of heavy machine tools manufacturing in China. Wuhan is at the centre of a wide network of river, rail and road transportation from almost every direction which makes it a key collecting and distribution point for different products.

All you need to know about Wuhan, the venue for 'informal' Modi-Xi meet

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday arrived at Wuhan city in China ahead of his scheduled informal meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

President Jinping and Prime Minister Modi are expected to hold bilateral talks on Friday as part of the two-day informal summit between India and China.

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a>: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives in Wuhan, <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/China?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#China</a>. The PM was received by Kong Xuanyou, Assistant Minister of the Ministry of foreign affairs of China, Luo Zhaohui (Ambassador), Tong Daochi (Vice-Governor of Hubei) and many others. <a href="https://t.co/Kuq2k2j8gy">pic.twitter.com/Kuq2k2j8gy</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/989546685524250626?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 26, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Security has been beefed up in China's Wuhan city ahead of the summit between two leaders.

Teams of security personnel have been deployed at various locations where the convoy of the Asian leaders is expected to pass by.

The airport of the Wuhan city and other places are expected to be on high-alert as the two leaders are scheduled to hold talks over two days, probably in open areas.

It is an unprecedented summit to be held between the two global leaders where no memorandum of understanding or statement is expected to be issued after the summit.

Earlier in the day, Xi arrived at the Wuhan City ahead of the informal summit.&nbsp;

They are expected to visit certain places in the Wuhan City, including the East Lake or Wuhan botanical garden, which is said to be the famous sight-seeing places of the Chinese commercial hub.&nbsp;

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives in Wuhan, <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/China?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#China</a>. The PM was received by Kong Xuanyou, Assistant Minister of the Ministry of foreign affairs of China, Luo Zhaohui (Ambassador), Tong Daochi (Vice-Governor of Hubei) and many others. <a href="https://t.co/WWxWqYuO58">pic.twitter.com/WWxWqYuO58</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/989544903255449601?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 26, 2018</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

Teams of security personnel have been deployed at various locations where the convoy of the Asian leaders is expected to pass by.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday arrived at Wuhan city in China ahead of his scheduled informal meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. President Jinping and Prime Minister Modi are expected to hold bilateral talks on Friday as part of the two-day informal summit between India and China. #WATCH: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives in Wuhan, #China. The PM was received by Kong Xuanyou, Assistant Minister of the Ministry of foreign affairs of China, Luo Zhaohui (Ambassador), Tong Daochi (Vice-Governor of Hubei) and many others. pic.twitter.com/Kuq2k2j8gy — ANI (@ANI) April 26, 2018 × Security has been beefed up in China's Wuhan city ahead of the summit between two leaders. Teams of security personnel have been deployed at various locations where the convoy of the Asian leaders is expected to pass by. The airport of the Wuhan city and other places are expected to be on high-alert as the two leaders are scheduled to hold talks over two days, probably in open areas. It is an unprecedented summit to be held between the two global leaders where no memorandum of understanding or statement is expected to be issued after the summit. Earlier in the day, Xi arrived at the Wuhan City ahead of the informal summit. They are expected to visit certain places in the Wuhan City, including the East Lake or Wuhan botanical garden, which is said to be the famous sight-seeing places of the Chinese commercial hub. Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives in Wuhan, #China. The PM was received by Kong Xuanyou, Assistant Minister of the Ministry of foreign affairs of China, Luo Zhaohui (Ambassador), Tong Daochi (Vice-Governor of Hubei) and many others. pic.twitter.com/WWxWqYuO58 — ANI (@ANI) April 26, 2018 ×

Watch: PM Modi arrives in Wuhan to meet President Xi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday left for China, to attend first of its kind 'informal summit'.

PM Modi in a statement, said the two Asian giants will review development in the relations from a strategic and long-term perspective.

Security has been beefed up in China's Wuhan city ahead of the summit between two leaders.

Teams of security personnel have been deployed at various locations where the convoy of the Asian leaders is expected to pass by.The airport of the Wuhan city and other places are expected to be on high-alert as the two leaders are scheduled to hold talks over two days, probably in open areas.

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a>: PM Narendra Modi leaves for Wuhan, <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/China?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#China</a>. He will hold an informal meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on 27th & 28th April. <a href="https://t.co/k5P8DprVtW">pic.twitter.com/k5P8DprVtW</a>
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It is an unprecedented summit to be held between the two global leaders where no memorandum of understanding or statement is expected to be issued after the summit.

Earlier in the day, Xi arrived at the Wuhan City ahead of the informal summit. Later in the evening, Prime Minister Modi will depart for Beijing.

They are expected to visit certain places in the Wuhan City, including the East Lake or Wuhan botanical garden, which is said to be the famous sight-seeing places of the Chinese commercial hub.&nbsp

(With inputs from ANI)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday left for China, to attend first of its kind 'informal summit'. PM Modi in a statement, said the two Asian giants will review development in the relations from a strategic and long-term perspective. Security has been beefed up in China's Wuhan city ahead of the summit between two leaders. Teams of security personnel have been deployed at various locations where the convoy of the Asian leaders is expected to pass by.The airport of the Wuhan city and other places are expected to be on high-alert as the two leaders are scheduled to hold talks over two days, probably in open areas. #WATCH: PM Narendra Modi leaves for Wuhan, #China. He will hold an informal meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on 27th & 28th April. pic.twitter.com/k5P8DprVtW — ANI (@ANI) April 26, 2018 × It is an unprecedented summit to be held between the two global leaders where no memorandum of understanding or statement is expected to be issued after the summit. Earlier in the day, Xi arrived at the Wuhan City ahead of the informal summit. Later in the evening, Prime Minister Modi will depart for Beijing. They are expected to visit certain places in the Wuhan City, including the East Lake or Wuhan botanical garden, which is said to be the famous sight-seeing places of the Chinese commercial hub. (With inputs from ANI)

PM Narendra Modi leaves for China; security beefed up in Wuhan

Narendra Modi's signature hug&nbsp;hits the headlines every time he meets a world leader. Since Modi took over as Indian prime minister in 2014, world leaders have been the recipient of famous Modi hug.&nbsp;

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In February 2017, Modi welcomed his Canadian counterpart Justin Trudeau with a bear hug. Similarly, in June 2017, Modi caught US President Donald Trump off guard when he reciprocated to a handshake with a warm hug after a news conference at the White House.&nbsp;

Former President Barack Obama was also treated with hugs on all occasions when the two met. Modi continued his tradition of hugging world leaders when he met the newly elected French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris.

However, the hugs also landed a little awkwardly sometimes, like in 2016,&nbsp;when Modi embraced former French president Francois Hollande. The clumsy hug drew a lot of criticisms including from opposition Congress party which often mocked Modi's hugplomacy.&nbsp;

However, the Indian prime minister has never shied away from hugging his counterparts including in G20 summit in June 2017 when he embraced Russian President Vladimir Putin and Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott.

But Modi's signature hug was missing at the BRICS summit in Hamburg in 2017 when a firm handshake replaced it.&nbsp;At the other end was Chinese President Xi Jinping. &nbsp;

The two leaders shook hands and greeted each other as relations between India and China were tense then following&nbsp;Dokhlam standoff.&nbsp;

A year later Modi is meeting Xi again amid speculation that the thaw in ties will begin with a hug rather than a formal handshake. However, it's&nbsp;believed that the Chinese may not be comfortable about physical contact with people they are not too familiar with. It's more to do with culture than diplomatic.&nbsp;

Modi, who is known worldwide as a hugger, did not make the move on Xi at the BRICS summit in Hamburg, Germany in 2017

Narendra Modi's signature hug hits the headlines every time he meets a world leader. Since Modi took over as Indian prime minister in 2014, world leaders have been the recipient of famous Modi hug. × In February 2017, Modi welcomed his Canadian counterpart Justin Trudeau with a bear hug. Similarly, in June 2017, Modi caught US President Donald Trump off guard when he reciprocated to a handshake with a warm hug after a news conference at the White House. Former President Barack Obama was also treated with hugs on all occasions when the two met. Modi continued his tradition of hugging world leaders when he met the newly elected French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris. However, the hugs also landed a little awkwardly sometimes, like in 2016, when Modi embraced former French president Francois Hollande. The clumsy hug drew a lot of criticisms including from opposition Congress party which often mocked Modi's hugplomacy. However, the Indian prime minister has never shied away from hugging his counterparts including in G20 summit in June 2017 when he embraced Russian President Vladimir Putin and Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott. But Modi's signature hug was missing at the BRICS summit in Hamburg in 2017 when a firm handshake replaced it. At the other end was Chinese President Xi Jinping. The two leaders shook hands and greeted each other as relations between India and China were tense then following Dokhlam standoff. A year later Modi is meeting Xi again amid speculation that the thaw in ties will begin with a hug rather than a formal handshake. However, it's believed that the Chinese may not be comfortable about physical contact with people they are not too familiar with. It's more to do with culture than diplomatic.

Wuhan summit is informal but will Modi hug Xi?

Security has been beefed up Wuhan on Thursday as China gears up to&nbsp;host Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Modi and&nbsp;Chinese President Xi Jinping are to hold an informal summit in Wuhan.

The last meeting between Xi and Modi took place in China's eastern city of Xiamen last September after the ninth BRICS summit.

News agency Reuters report quoting&nbsp;Indian ambassador to China, Gautam Bambawale stated that&nbsp;&nbsp;Modi's meeting with Xi will bear no agenda and will have a very friendly setting. However, he also said that the two leaders may still hold a candid dialogue on the pressing global issues and their outlook for the world and set a course for the development of bilateral ties.

Modi has sought to re-set ties after disputes over issues including their disputed border with Tibet and other issues.

The Asian giants were locked in a 73-day military stand-off in a remote, high-altitude stretch of that boundary last year. At one point, soldiers from the two sides threw stones and punches.

The last meeting between Xi and Modi took place in China's eastern city of Xiamen last September after the ninth BRICS summit.

Security has been beefed up Wuhan on Thursday as China gears up to host Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping are to hold an informal summit in Wuhan. The last meeting between Xi and Modi took place in China's eastern city of Xiamen last September after the ninth BRICS summit. News agency Reuters report quoting Indian ambassador to China, Gautam Bambawale stated that Modi's meeting with Xi will bear no agenda and will have a very friendly setting. However, he also said that the two leaders may still hold a candid dialogue on the pressing global issues and their outlook for the world and set a course for the development of bilateral ties. Modi has sought to re-set ties after disputes over issues including their disputed border with Tibet and other issues. The Asian giants were locked in a 73-day military stand-off in a remote, high-altitude stretch of that boundary last year. At one point, soldiers from the two sides threw stones and punches.

China gears up to welcome Modi for informal summit with Xi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit China for two days for an <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/modi-xi-will-not-sign-agreements-at-wuhan-summit-but-build-trust-to-resolve-bilateral-issues-china-132552">'informal meeting'</a> with President Xi Jinping, as efforts at rapprochement gather pace following a testing year in ties between the two giant neighbours.

Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi said the two would meet on Friday and Saturday in the central <a href="http://www.wionews.com/videos/why-is-india-china-wuhan-summit-different--132672">Chinese city of Wuhan</a>. He added that PM Modi is visiting Wuhan at the invitation of President Xi.

But the details of the meeting, which is reported to have been called suddenly, were being worked upon for the past many days. The meeting of India's National Security Advisor Ajit Doval with China's State Councillor on April 13, and presence of foreign minister Sushma Swaraj and defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman in China point towards this.

"Our common interests far outweigh our differences. The two countries have no choice other than pursuing everlasting friendship, mutually beneficial cooperation and common development," Wang told reporters after meeting Swaraj in Beijing.

Swaraj confirmed later that her discussion with Wang was to prepare for the informal summit.

<a href="www.wionews.com/india-news/modi-xi-to-chart-a-new-course-for-india-china-ties-at-wuhan-summit--132075">Modi's visit</a> is being considered as a bold step, especially after the Doklam stand-off and other border issues. The Asian giants were locked in a 73-day military stand-off in Doklam last year. At one point, soldiers from the two sides threw stones and punches.

This is the fourth time Modi will be visiting China after becoming the Prime Minister. He visited China for bilateral talks in 2015, then again in 2016 to take part in G-20 summit. Modi also attended the BRICS Summit last year in China.

It is almost unheard of for foreign leaders to visit China in such close succession. Xi is also extending Modi the rare honour of a meeting outside of Beijing, which almost never happens unless there is a multilateral summit taking place. Chinese officials said Modi will stay in the most comfortable place in Wuhan.

"The two leaders will spend two days in Wuhan. In these two days, they will engage with other on various forums. What I can tell you here is that they will spend a lot of time together one-on-one," Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Kong Xuanyou said. "Leaders in the past met in multilateral occasions, 30 minutes or one hour. Those meetings are important but personally speaking the meetings on the multilateral occasions are more ceremonial meetings," he added.

What's on the agenda?

Trade talks are likely to dominate the meeting between Modi and Xi. With a trade war brewing between US and China, Beijing is keen to amp up the volume of trade with New Delhi. Currently, the trade deficit between the two countries is close to Rs 3.5 lakh crore, though exports have risen by 39 per cent and imports by 14. India has been trying hard to reduce the trade deficit and has been asking Beijing to open IT and pharma sectors for Indian firms.

The second talking point between two leaders is going to be the border issue. Both Modi and Xi are likely to discuss the situation in Doklam and iron out issues pertaining to the network of roads in border areas.

However, sources in New Delhi said the meeting will not have an "issue-based discussion but a strategic conversation between the two leaders to understand each other's perspective on national and international matters". They also said that the summit is not aimed at "resetting" India-China ties.

At the informal summit, the two leaders will have strategic communication on the major changes in the international landscape unseen in more than 100 years. They will have in-depth exchange of views on the issues of overarching long-term and strategic importance in the bilateral relations, Kong said.

"This time we will make the first attempt to hold the informal summit. I am confident that with the joint efforts of both sides the new format will live up to the expectations," he added.&nbsp&nbsp&nbsp

It is almost unheard of for foreign leaders to visit China in such close succession.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit China for two days for an 'informal meeting' with President Xi Jinping, as efforts at rapprochement gather pace following a testing year in ties between the two giant neighbours. Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi said the two would meet on Friday and Saturday in the central Chinese city of Wuhan. He added that PM Modi is visiting Wuhan at the invitation of President Xi. But the details of the meeting, which is reported to have been called suddenly, were being worked upon for the past many days. The meeting of India's National Security Advisor Ajit Doval with China's State Councillor on April 13, and presence of foreign minister Sushma Swaraj and defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman in China point towards this. "Our common interests far outweigh our differences. The two countries have no choice other than pursuing everlasting friendship, mutually beneficial cooperation and common development," Wang told reporters after meeting Swaraj in Beijing. Swaraj confirmed later that her discussion with Wang was to prepare for the informal summit. Modi's visit is being considered as a bold step, especially after the Doklam stand-off and other border issues. The Asian giants were locked in a 73-day military stand-off in Doklam last year. At one point, soldiers from the two sides threw stones and punches. This is the fourth time Modi will be visiting China after becoming the Prime Minister. He visited China for bilateral talks in 2015, then again in 2016 to take part in G-20 summit. Modi also attended the BRICS Summit last year in China. It is almost unheard of for foreign leaders to visit China in such close succession. Xi is also extending Modi the rare honour of a meeting outside of Beijing, which almost never happens unless there is a multilateral summit taking place. Chinese officials said Modi will stay in the most comfortable place in Wuhan. "The two leaders will spend two days in Wuhan. In these two days, they will engage with other on various forums. What I can tell you here is that they will spend a lot of time together one-on-one," Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Kong Xuanyou said. "Leaders in the past met in multilateral occasions, 30 minutes or one hour. Those meetings are important but personally speaking the meetings on the multilateral occasions are more ceremonial meetings," he added. What's on the agenda? Trade talks are likely to dominate the meeting between Modi and Xi. With a trade war brewing between US and China, Beijing is keen to amp up the volume of trade with New Delhi. Currently, the trade deficit between the two countries is close to Rs 3.5 lakh crore, though exports have risen by 39 per cent and imports by 14. India has been trying hard to reduce the trade deficit and has been asking Beijing to open IT and pharma sectors for Indian firms. The second talking point between two leaders is going to be the border issue. Both Modi and Xi are likely to discuss the situation in Doklam and iron out issues pertaining to the network of roads in border areas. However, sources in New Delhi said the meeting will not have an "issue-based discussion but a strategic conversation between the two leaders to understand each other's perspective on national and international matters". They also said that the summit is not aimed at "resetting" India-China ties. At the informal summit, the two leaders will have strategic communication on the major changes in the international landscape unseen in more than 100 years. They will have in-depth exchange of views on the issues of overarching long-term and strategic importance in the bilateral relations, Kong said. "This time we will make the first attempt to hold the informal summit. I am confident that with the joint efforts of both sides the new format will live up to the expectations," he added.

With trade deficit on mind, Modi heads to Wuhan for 'informal meeting' with Xi Jinping

China Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lu Kang on Tuesday addressed the media over the informal meeting between PM Modi and President Xi Jinping set to take place on April 27-28.&nbsp

Currently, Sushma Swarak and Nirmala Sitharaman are in Beijing to attend the foreign and defence ministers' meet organised by the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation(SCO). Member countries in the SCO&nbspinclude China, India, Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Pakistan.

This<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/doklam-happened-due-to-lack-of-mutual-trust-says-china-132612"> informal summit</a> is the first of its kind and there is no precedent in each other's country.&nbsp"At the informal summit, the two leaders will have heart-to-heart discussions on overarching issues and try to build mutual trust and consensus to resolve outstanding differences," Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Kong Xuanyou told the media.

"The frequent exchanges between President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Modi in recent years have taken place in various forms. One example is the "hometown diplomacy" as characterized by President Xi Jinping's visit to India in 2014 and Prime Minister Modi's visit to China in 2015," Kang said.&nbsp

"In addition, President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Modi have met several times on the sidelines of the summits of multilateral mechanisms such as BRICS, the G20, and the&nbspShanghai Cooperation Organization," he added.

Kang further informed that "During these occasions, they exchanged views on issues of common interest and reached many important consensus, which has offered strong guidance to the China-India relations and enabled a good working relationship and personal friendship&nbspbetween the two leaders. At the same time, in the face of unprecedented changes in the world today as well as uncertainty and instability in the current international situation, President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Modi, as the leaders of the two largest developing countries, also feel that the two countries need to communicate in great depth on some long-term, comprehensive, and strategic issues embedded in bilateral relations and international affairs."

"The two sides agreed that an informal meeting would be a good idea so that the two leaders would make full and in-depth exchanges on major issues of common concern in a suitable atmosphere. We believe that more important consensus will be reached during the informal meeting in Wuhan which will contribute to the sound and stable development of China-India relations," Kang finally said.&nbsp

&nbsp

This informal summit is the first of its kind and there is no precedent in each other's country

China Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lu Kang on Tuesday addressed the media over the informal meeting between PM Modi and President Xi Jinping set to take place on April 27-28. Currently, Sushma Swarak and Nirmala Sitharaman are in Beijing to attend the foreign and defence ministers' meet organised by the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation(SCO). Member countries in the SCO&nbspinclude China, India, Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Pakistan. This informal summit is the first of its kind and there is no precedent in each other's country. "At the informal summit, the two leaders will have heart-to-heart discussions on overarching issues and try to build mutual trust and consensus to resolve outstanding differences," Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Kong Xuanyou told the media. "The frequent exchanges between President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Modi in recent years have taken place in various forms. One example is the "hometown diplomacy" as characterized by President Xi Jinping's visit to India in 2014 and Prime Minister Modi's visit to China in 2015," Kang said. "In addition, President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Modi have met several times on the sidelines of the summits of multilateral mechanisms such as BRICS, the G20, and the&nbspShanghai Cooperation Organization," he added. Kang further informed that "During these occasions, they exchanged views on issues of common interest and reached many important consensus, which has offered strong guidance to the China-India relations and enabled a good working relationship and personal friendship&nbspbetween the two leaders. At the same time, in the face of unprecedented changes in the world today as well as uncertainty and instability in the current international situation, President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Modi, as the leaders of the two largest developing countries, also feel that the two countries need to communicate in great depth on some long-term, comprehensive, and strategic issues embedded in bilateral relations and international affairs." "The two sides agreed that an informal meeting would be a good idea so that the two leaders would make full and in-depth exchanges on major issues of common concern in a suitable atmosphere. We believe that more important consensus will be reached during the informal meeting in Wuhan which will contribute to the sound and stable development of China-India relations," Kang finally said.

Modi-Xi to make in-depth exchanges on major issues of common concern: China foreign ministry

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman arrived in China today to attend a preparatory meeting related to upcoming summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).

During her visit, Sitharaman is likely to meet a number of Chinese leaders. She will attend the SCO defence ministers' meeting tomorrow.

The annual summit of the SCO, in which India is the latest entrant along with Pakistan, will take place in the Chinese city of Qingdao in June.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to attend it.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj is already here on a four-day visit here to attend the SCO Foreign Ministers meeting to finalise the agenda for the summit of the eight-member political, economic and security bloc.&nbsp

The SCO, headquartered in Beijing, was founded in 2001.

Comprising China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, India and Pakistan, the SCO aims at military cooperation between the member states and involves intelligence sharing, counter-terrorism operations in Central Asia and joint work against cyber terrorism.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj is already here on a four-day visit here

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman arrived in China today to attend a preparatory meeting related to upcoming summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). During her visit, Sitharaman is likely to meet a number of Chinese leaders. She will attend the SCO defence ministers' meeting tomorrow. The annual summit of the SCO, in which India is the latest entrant along with Pakistan, will take place in the Chinese city of Qingdao in June. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to attend it. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj is already here on a four-day visit here to attend the SCO Foreign Ministers meeting to finalise the agenda for the summit of the eight-member political, economic and security bloc. The SCO, headquartered in Beijing, was founded in 2001. Comprising China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, India and Pakistan, the SCO aims at military cooperation between the member states and involves intelligence sharing, counter-terrorism operations in Central Asia and joint work against cyber terrorism.

Nirmala Sitharaman arrives in China to attend SCO defence ministers' meeting

Ahead of this week's meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Indian counterpart Prime Minister Narendra Modi, China today reassured Pakistan that relations between both the nations would "never rust" and are as firm as ever. &nbsp;

Xi's meeting with PM Modi is seen as a something that could unnerve Islamabad.

The "all weather" allies, China and Pakistan, have enjoyed close ties that are often viewed with suspicion by India.

At a meeting&nbsp;in Beijing, Chinese State Councillor Wang Yi told Pakistan's Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif that China will continue to firmly support Pakistan.&nbsp;

"We are ready to work together with our Pakistani brothers to undertake the historical mission of national rejuvenation and achieve the great dream of national prosperity and development," Wang said.

"In this way, our iron friendship with Pakistan will never rust and be tempered into steel."

The officials did not make any comments on the upcoming Xi-Modi meeting.&nbsp;

PM Modi has tried to reset relations with Beijing after years of disagreements over issues ranging from border disputes to exiled Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama.

An informal summit between Modi and Xi will be held in China on Friday and Saturday.

Meanwhile,&nbsp;China's Ambassador to India Luo Zhaohui on Sunday hoped that an informal summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping later this week in the Chinese city of Wuhan will enhance "good chemistry" between the two leaders and strengthen bilateral ties.

After a meeting with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi announced in Beijing that Modi and Xi will hold an informal summit in Wuhan city from April 27 to 28.&nbsp;

"The summit will highlight the personal friendship and enhance the good chemistry between the two leaders. I believe with the guidance of our two leaders and through joint efforts of the Chinese and Indian people including you and me, China-India relations will turn a new page," Luo said in a video message while making a debut on Twitter.

(With inputs from agencies)

China will continue to firmly support Pakistan, its top diplomat, State Councillor Wang Yi, told Pakistan`s Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif at a meeting in Beijing

Ahead of this week's meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Indian counterpart Prime Minister Narendra Modi, China today reassured Pakistan that relations between both the nations would "never rust" and are as firm as ever. Xi's meeting with PM Modi is seen as a something that could unnerve Islamabad. The "all weather" allies, China and Pakistan, have enjoyed close ties that are often viewed with suspicion by India. At a meeting in Beijing, Chinese State Councillor Wang Yi told Pakistan's Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif that China will continue to firmly support Pakistan. "We are ready to work together with our Pakistani brothers to undertake the historical mission of national rejuvenation and achieve the great dream of national prosperity and development," Wang said. "In this way, our iron friendship with Pakistan will never rust and be tempered into steel." The officials did not make any comments on the upcoming Xi-Modi meeting. PM Modi has tried to reset relations with Beijing after years of disagreements over issues ranging from border disputes to exiled Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama. An informal summit between Modi and Xi will be held in China on Friday and Saturday. Meanwhile, China's Ambassador to India Luo Zhaohui on Sunday hoped that an informal summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping later this week in the Chinese city of Wuhan will enhance "good chemistry" between the two leaders and strengthen bilateral ties. After a meeting with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi announced in Beijing that Modi and Xi will hold an informal summit in Wuhan city from April 27 to 28. "The summit will highlight the personal friendship and enhance the good chemistry between the two leaders. I believe with the guidance of our two leaders and through joint efforts of the Chinese and Indian people including you and me, China-India relations will turn a new page," Luo said in a video message while making a debut on Twitter. (With inputs from agencies)

Ties will 'never rust': China reassures Pakistan ahead of Xi's meeting with PM Modi

<a href="http://cmsuat.wionews.com/india-news/modi-xi-to-chart-a-new-course-for-india-china-ties-at-wuhan-summit--132075">Modi-Xi to chart a new course for India-China ties at Wuhan summit</a>

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping will hold a summit in China's Wuhan city from April 27 to 28 for a "heart-to-heart" chat to explore a new paradigm for India-China ties and find ways to address the contentious issues like the border dispute.

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The death toll from Sunday's blast in the Afghan capital Kabul rose to 48, with 112 others wounded, a public health officer said. The attack follows several weeks of relative calm in Kabul.&nbsp;

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Israel released details on Tuesday about what it described as an Iranian "air force" deployed in neighbouring Syria, including civilian planes suspected of transferring arms, a signal that these could be attacked should tensions with Tehran escalate.

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Subramanian Swamy on Sunday claimed that he has often been ignored by party chief Amit Shah who, he said, has often did not allow his programmes to take place.

.

Modi-Xi to chart a new course for India-China ties at Wuhan summit Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping will hold a summit in China's Wuhan city from April 27 to 28 for a "heart-to-heart" chat to explore a new paradigm for India-China ties and find ways to address the contentious issues like the border dispute. Kabul suicide blast: Death toll reaches 48 The death toll from Sunday's blast in the Afghan capital Kabul rose to 48, with 112 others wounded, a public health officer said. The attack follows several weeks of relative calm in Kabul. Congress may move court if impeachment notice rejected As the Congress awaits the decision of Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu on an impeachment notice moved by it and other parties against Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra, it is considering moving the Supreme Court if the petition is rejected, party leaders said. Israel hints it could hit Iran's 'air force' in Syria Israel released details on Tuesday about what it described as an Iranian "air force" deployed in neighbouring Syria, including civilian planes suspected of transferring arms, a signal that these could be attacked should tensions with Tehran escalate. Subramanian Swamy accuses Amit Shah of ignoring him, but won't quit BJP Subramanian Swamy on Sunday claimed that he has often been ignored by party chief Amit Shah who, he said, has often did not allow his programmes to take place. .

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping will hold a summit in China's Wuhan city from April 27 to 28 for a "heart-to-heart" chat to explore a new paradigm for India-China ties and find ways to address the contentious issues like the border dispute.

Conceived on the lines of the ice-breaking visit undertaken by late prime minister Rajiv Gandhi in 1988 and his far-reaching talks with China's paramount leader Deng Xiaoping, setting a new tone for the relations after the 1962 war, the Xi-Modi dialogue in the central Chinese city of Wuhan was aimed at a working a new paradigm for the bilateral relations for the next 15 years, informed sources told PTI here.&nbsp

At the "informal summit" with a few officials and aides at a picturesque location, the two leaders plan to spend several hours exchanging their vision and perspectives about global and domestic scenarios and explore ideas to address the contentious bilateral issues like the border dispute, they said.&nbsp

The talks will focus on adhering to the principle that both countries should be sensitive to each other's concerns and aspirations, the sources said.

At the summit, Modi and Xi will try to work out a general framework for relations to move ahead without much of great expectations about the outcome, they said.

It is a leadership-driven summit, providing a leadership driven-direction and a way forward to more stable bilateral ties, the sources said.&nbsp

While no major agreements were expected to be reached at the summit, the two leaders will have candid talks on the contentious issues like Xi's pet project, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) whose flagship project, the USD 50 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has become a major stumbling block for the bilateral ties.&nbsp

India protested about CPEC as it is being laid through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) disregarding India's sovereignty concerns.&nbsp

Last year turned out to be an extremely complex and difficult year for Sino-Indian ties with a host of festering differences like China blocking India's entry into the elite Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) as well as attempts to list Jaish-e-Muhammad leader Masood Azhar as a terrorist by the UN. The 73-day standoff at Dokalam also hit bilateral ties.

The Wuhan summit is aimed at giving an "honest try" by the two leaders to work out an understanding at the top on the future course of relations to navigate through the maze of differences and build strategic trust and communication between themselves, they said.

It will be the fourth visit by Modi to China since he took over power in 2014 and a second bilateral visit. He made first bilateral visit in 2015 followed by a visit to Hangzhou to take part in the G-20 summit in 2016 and BRICS summit in Xiamen last year.

He is again due to visit Chinese city of Qingdao in June this year to take part in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit.

The two leaders decided to meet ahead of SCO meet as the summit of the eight-member group will offer little time and space for a lengthy interaction, the sources said.

The Modi-Xi meeting has been worked out by both sides following an understanding between the two governments that positive relations without much of tensions are most important for the development of both the countries.

While China sees India as a country of faster economic growth and safe destination for Chinese investments, and regard good ties with it is important for its peaceful rise, the thinking in India too is that peaceful relations with China is important for the progress of initiatives like the 'Make in India', they said.

At their summit, the two leaders were expected to have a "heart-to- heart" chat and look at the big picture of the bilateral ties, they said.

The summit is taking place as Xi, now regarded as the most powerful leader of China is poised for a longer tenure in the office after the last month's removal of the two-term limit for President.&nbsp

The summit provides an opportunity for the 64-year-old Chinese leader to elaborate on the contours of his oft-stated Chinese dream of national rejuvenation, while Modi was expected to highlight the importance of campaigns like the 'Make in India' and his vision of "Vasudeva Kutumbakam", (world as a single family) they said.&nbsp

The Modi-Xi summit meeting is taking place in the backdrop of a series of high level interactions between both the two countries starting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi's visit to India in December, the first after the Dokalam standoff.

It was followed by two meetings between National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and his Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi and the visit early this year by Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale to Beijing.

 
&nbsp

It will be the fourth visit by Modi to China since he took over power in 2014 and a second bilateral visit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping will hold a summit in China's Wuhan city from April 27 to 28 for a "heart-to-heart" chat to explore a new paradigm for India-China ties and find ways to address the contentious issues like the border dispute. Conceived on the lines of the ice-breaking visit undertaken by late prime minister Rajiv Gandhi in 1988 and his far-reaching talks with China's paramount leader Deng Xiaoping, setting a new tone for the relations after the 1962 war, the Xi-Modi dialogue in the central Chinese city of Wuhan was aimed at a working a new paradigm for the bilateral relations for the next 15 years, informed sources told PTI here. At the "informal summit" with a few officials and aides at a picturesque location, the two leaders plan to spend several hours exchanging their vision and perspectives about global and domestic scenarios and explore ideas to address the contentious bilateral issues like the border dispute, they said. The talks will focus on adhering to the principle that both countries should be sensitive to each other's concerns and aspirations, the sources said. At the summit, Modi and Xi will try to work out a general framework for relations to move ahead without much of great expectations about the outcome, they said. It is a leadership-driven summit, providing a leadership driven-direction and a way forward to more stable bilateral ties, the sources said. While no major agreements were expected to be reached at the summit, the two leaders will have candid talks on the contentious issues like Xi's pet project, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) whose flagship project, the USD 50 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has become a major stumbling block for the bilateral ties. India protested about CPEC as it is being laid through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) disregarding India's sovereignty concerns. Last year turned out to be an extremely complex and difficult year for Sino-Indian ties with a host of festering differences like China blocking India's entry into the elite Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) as well as attempts to list Jaish-e-Muhammad leader Masood Azhar as a terrorist by the UN. The 73-day standoff at Dokalam also hit bilateral ties. The Wuhan summit is aimed at giving an "honest try" by the two leaders to work out an understanding at the top on the future course of relations to navigate through the maze of differences and build strategic trust and communication between themselves, they said. It will be the fourth visit by Modi to China since he took over power in 2014 and a second bilateral visit. He made first bilateral visit in 2015 followed by a visit to Hangzhou to take part in the G-20 summit in 2016 and BRICS summit in Xiamen last year. He is again due to visit Chinese city of Qingdao in June this year to take part in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit. The two leaders decided to meet ahead of SCO meet as the summit of the eight-member group will offer little time and space for a lengthy interaction, the sources said. The Modi-Xi meeting has been worked out by both sides following an understanding between the two governments that positive relations without much of tensions are most important for the development of both the countries. While China sees India as a country of faster economic growth and safe destination for Chinese investments, and regard good ties with it is important for its peaceful rise, the thinking in India too is that peaceful relations with China is important for the progress of initiatives like the 'Make in India', they said. At their summit, the two leaders were expected to have a "heart-to- heart" chat and look at the big picture of the bilateral ties, they said. The summit is taking place as Xi, now regarded as the most powerful leader of China is poised for a longer tenure in the office after the last month's removal of the two-term limit for President. The summit provides an opportunity for the 64-year-old Chinese leader to elaborate on the contours of his oft-stated Chinese dream of national rejuvenation, while Modi was expected to highlight the importance of campaigns like the 'Make in India' and his vision of "Vasudeva Kutumbakam", (world as a single family) they said. The Modi-Xi summit meeting is taking place in the backdrop of a series of high level interactions between both the two countries starting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi's visit to India in December, the first after the Dokalam standoff. It was followed by two meetings between National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and his Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi and the visit early this year by Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale to Beijing.

Modi-Xi to chart a new course for India-China ties at Wuhan summit

President Xi Jinping has called for tightened internet laws to ensure social and economic stability in the country. In a recent statement, the Chinese President noted that there can be no national security without web security.&nbsp;

The Jinping-led government is known for monitoring and censoring online content in the country. Worried about the growing influence of the internet on the younger generation China has increasingly tightened its grip on the internet.

"Without web security, there's no national security, there's no economic and social stability, and it's difficult to ensure the interests of the broader masses," Xinhua cited Xi as saying.

"We cannot let the internet become a platform for disseminating harmful information and stirring up trouble with rumours," he added in comments made at a cybersecurity conference in Beijing.

Earlier this month, reports emerged stating that a Chinese microblogging website, Sina Weibo, was removing "homosexual" content from its platform. The move, which enraged the online gay community in China, prompted a storm of online protests. The hashtag "I am gay" took over the Chinese social media.

The ruling Communist Party has been aiming to purge the internet of content that deviates from its "core values of socialism".&nbsp;

The Chinese kingpins, who sought to get rid of the presidential term limit for General Secretary and President Xi Jinping, made headlines a few months back for reportedly banning the English alphabet 'N' and recently the world-famous cartoon character, the honey-loving bear Winnie the Pooh from its online territories.&nbsp;

Letter 'N' was temporarily banned. Many suggested Chinese censors targetted the mathematical expression of disapproval -- as the expression “N > 2” in mathematics has 'N' as an unknown signifier for an unknown quantity, here referring to Xi’s possible presidential tenure.&nbsp;

China is also looking to take a leading role globally in internet regulation and technology more broadly, which has come into sharp focus amid a trade standoff with the United States and an arms race over technology.&nbsp;

(With inputs from Reuters)

The ruling Communist Party has been aiming to purge the internet of content that deviates from its 'core values of socialism'

President Xi Jinping has called for tightened internet laws to ensure social and economic stability in the country. In a recent statement, the Chinese President noted that there can be no national security without web security. The Jinping-led government is known for monitoring and censoring online content in the country. Worried about the growing influence of the internet on the younger generation China has increasingly tightened its grip on the internet. "Without web security, there's no national security, there's no economic and social stability, and it's difficult to ensure the interests of the broader masses," Xinhua cited Xi as saying. "We cannot let the internet become a platform for disseminating harmful information and stirring up trouble with rumours," he added in comments made at a cybersecurity conference in Beijing. Earlier this month, reports emerged stating that a Chinese microblogging website, Sina Weibo, was removing "homosexual" content from its platform. The move, which enraged the online gay community in China, prompted a storm of online protests. The hashtag "I am gay" took over the Chinese social media. The ruling Communist Party has been aiming to purge the internet of content that deviates from its "core values of socialism". The Chinese kingpins, who sought to get rid of the presidential term limit for General Secretary and President Xi Jinping, made headlines a few months back for reportedly banning the English alphabet 'N' and recently the world-famous cartoon character, the honey-loving bear Winnie the Pooh from its online territories. Letter 'N' was temporarily banned. Many suggested Chinese censors targetted the mathematical expression of disapproval -- as the expression “N > 2” in mathematics has 'N' as an unknown signifier for an unknown quantity, here referring to Xi’s possible presidential tenure. China is also looking to take a leading role globally in internet regulation and technology more broadly, which has come into sharp focus amid a trade standoff with the United States and an arms race over technology. (With inputs from Reuters)

There's no national security without web security: China's Xi calls for stricter internet control 

Chinese President Xi Jinping called on Taiwan's business community on Tuesday to shun any idea of independence for their island and to promote peace and stable ties with the mainland, state media reported.

Ties between Beijing and self-ruled Taiwan have been frosty since the independence-leaning Diplomatic Progressive Party (DPP) won a Taiwan election in 2016, defeating the nationalist Kuomintang party.

Beijing views Taiwan as a breakaway province and has never renounced the use of force to bring it under Chinese control.

"Friends in the island's business community should take a stand and firmly maintain the '1992 consensus', oppose 'Taiwan independence' and firmly promote the peace and stability of cross-straits relations," Xi told the chairman of a foundation that promotes trade between China and Taiwan.

The "1992 consensus" refers to an agreement reached that year that both sides are part of "one China", a cherished principle in Beijing.

Xi made the remarks to Vincent Siew, a former vice-president of the Kuomintang and head of the Taiwan-based Cross-Straits Common Market Foundation, on the sidelines of the Chinese Boao Forum for Asia on Hainan island.

"The Taiwan problem is of great concern for the basic interests of the Chinese nation," Xi told Siew, according to a report of their talk from the official People's Daily newspaper.

"We hope that compatriots across the straights can together shoulder the virtuous cause of the nation and push for the peaceful reunification of the motherland."

Xi said in a speech to China's annual meeting of parliament in March that Taiwan would face the "punishment of history" for any attempts at separatism, his strongest on the issue warning yet.

China fears DPP leader Tsai Ing-wen wants will push for formal independence, though Tsai says she wants to maintain the status quo and is committed to peace.

Overtures by the administration of US President Donald Trump towards strengthening ties with the island have ratcheted up the tension.

China repeatedly says that the US acceptance that Taiwan and China are one country is the political bedrock for healthy ties between them.&nbsp

China opposes any semblance of formal military or diplomatic ties between the United States and Taiwan.

China said on Monday it opposed the United States selling weapons to Taiwan, after the Trump administration approved the marketing licence required for US manufacturers to sell technology to Taiwan that would allow for building submarines. 
&nbsp

Chinese President Xi Jinping called on Taiwan's business community on Tuesday to shun any idea of independence for their island and to promote peace and stable ties with the mainland, state media reported

Chinese President Xi Jinping called on Taiwan's business community on Tuesday to shun any idea of independence for their island and to promote peace and stable ties with the mainland, state media reported. Ties between Beijing and self-ruled Taiwan have been frosty since the independence-leaning Diplomatic Progressive Party (DPP) won a Taiwan election in 2016, defeating the nationalist Kuomintang party. Beijing views Taiwan as a breakaway province and has never renounced the use of force to bring it under Chinese control. "Friends in the island's business community should take a stand and firmly maintain the '1992 consensus', oppose 'Taiwan independence' and firmly promote the peace and stability of cross-straits relations," Xi told the chairman of a foundation that promotes trade between China and Taiwan. The "1992 consensus" refers to an agreement reached that year that both sides are part of "one China", a cherished principle in Beijing. Xi made the remarks to Vincent Siew, a former vice-president of the Kuomintang and head of the Taiwan-based Cross-Straits Common Market Foundation, on the sidelines of the Chinese Boao Forum for Asia on Hainan island. "The Taiwan problem is of great concern for the basic interests of the Chinese nation," Xi told Siew, according to a report of their talk from the official People's Daily newspaper. "We hope that compatriots across the straights can together shoulder the virtuous cause of the nation and push for the peaceful reunification of the motherland." Xi said in a speech to China's annual meeting of parliament in March that Taiwan would face the "punishment of history" for any attempts at separatism, his strongest on the issue warning yet. China fears DPP leader Tsai Ing-wen wants will push for formal independence, though Tsai says she wants to maintain the status quo and is committed to peace. Overtures by the administration of US President Donald Trump towards strengthening ties with the island have ratcheted up the tension. China repeatedly says that the US acceptance that Taiwan and China are one country is the political bedrock for healthy ties between them. China opposes any semblance of formal military or diplomatic ties between the United States and Taiwan. China said on Monday it opposed the United States selling weapons to Taiwan, after the Trump administration approved the marketing licence required for US manufacturers to sell technology to Taiwan that would allow for building submarines.

XI Jinping urges Taiwan business community to oppose independence

Benchmark BSE Sensex advanced over 130 points today, continuing its rising streak for the fourth straight day, on firm global leads after Chinese President Xi Jinping's speech eased worries over a trade war.

The 30-share Sensex was trading higher by 130.31 points, or 0.38 per cent, at 33,918.85, with all the sectoral indices rising up to 1.80 per cent.

The gauge had gained 774.47 points in the previous three sessions.

The NSE Nifty breached the 10,400-mark, up 38.80 points, or 0.37 per cent, at 10,418.15.

Meanwhile, domestic institutional investors (DIIs) bought shares worth Rs 359.35 crore yesterday, while foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) remained sellers and offloaded shares worth Rs 1,300.93 crore as per provisional data.

A firm trend in other Asian markets after Chinese President Xi Jinping eased worries over a simmering US trade conflict by promising new measures to open his country's massive economy "wider and wider" boosted investor sentiment here, brokers said.

The rupee's appreciation against the dollar and widening of bets by investors amid optimism ahead of earnings season also supported the uptrend, they said.

Major gainers included Axis Bank, Adani Ports, Tata Steel, L&T, ICICI Bank, Yes Bank, Kotak Bank, TCS, Power Grid, Bajaj Auto, Sun Pharma and Reliance Industries, gaining up to 2.41 per cent.

In the Asian region, Japan's Nikkei gained 1.08 per cent and Shanghai Composite rose 0.75 per cent in early trading today while Hong Kong's Hang Seng was up 0.82 per cent.

The US Dow Jones Industrial Average ended 0.19 per cent higher in yesterday's trade.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Benchmark BSE Sensex advanced over 130 points today, continuing its rising streak for the fourth straight day, on firm global leads after Chinese President Xi Jinping's speech eased worries over a trade war

Benchmark BSE Sensex advanced over 130 points today, continuing its rising streak for the fourth straight day, on firm global leads after Chinese President Xi Jinping's speech eased worries over a trade war. The 30-share Sensex was trading higher by 130.31 points, or 0.38 per cent, at 33,918.85, with all the sectoral indices rising up to 1.80 per cent. The gauge had gained 774.47 points in the previous three sessions. The NSE Nifty breached the 10,400-mark, up 38.80 points, or 0.37 per cent, at 10,418.15. Meanwhile, domestic institutional investors (DIIs) bought shares worth Rs 359.35 crore yesterday, while foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) remained sellers and offloaded shares worth Rs 1,300.93 crore as per provisional data. A firm trend in other Asian markets after Chinese President Xi Jinping eased worries over a simmering US trade conflict by promising new measures to open his country's massive economy "wider and wider" boosted investor sentiment here, brokers said. The rupee's appreciation against the dollar and widening of bets by investors amid optimism ahead of earnings season also supported the uptrend, they said. Major gainers included Axis Bank, Adani Ports, Tata Steel, L&T, ICICI Bank, Yes Bank, Kotak Bank, TCS, Power Grid, Bajaj Auto, Sun Pharma and Reliance Industries, gaining up to 2.41 per cent. In the Asian region, Japan's Nikkei gained 1.08 per cent and Shanghai Composite rose 0.75 per cent in early trading today while Hong Kong's Hang Seng was up 0.82 per cent. The US Dow Jones Industrial Average ended 0.19 per cent higher in yesterday's trade.

Sensex rises over 100 points on firm global cues, Nifty tops 10,400

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/after-xi-kim-meeting-trump-says-north-korean-leader-will-do-what-is-right-for-his-people-and-for-humanity-126805">After Xi, Kim meeting, Trump says North Korean leader 'will do what is right for his people and for humanity'</a>

As Kim Jong Un met China's President Xi in Beijing in a secret, President Trump in a tweet said the North Korean leader will do "what is right and move toward peace".

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/cbse-exam-paper-leak-pm-modi-asks-hrd-minister-to-take-strict-action-126790">CBSE exam paper leak: PM Modi asks HRD minister to take 'strict action'</a>

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) will be reconducting the Economics exam for Class XII and Mathematics exam for Class X after reports of paper leak surfaced.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/king-of-good-times-vijay-mallya-to-get-married-to-girlfriend-pinky-lalwani-126809">'King of Good Times' Vijay Mallya to get married to girlfriend Pinky Lalwani</a>

Vijay Mallya, popularly referred to as the ‘King of Good Times’ who was believed to be going through a rough patch owing to his loan fraud with Indian banks and money laundering issues, is after all not having such a bad time in the UK.&nbsp

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/israels-el-al-appeals-against-air-india-flights-over-saudi-arabia-126815">Israel's El Al appeals against Air India flights over Saudi</a>

Israel's national airline El Al appealed to the Supreme Court on Wednesday to cancel the authorisation of direct Air India flights between New Delhi and Tel Aviv via Saudi airspace fearing financial damage to it and view it as aerial discrimination.&nbsp

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/now-bcci-snubs-smith-warner-over-ball-tampering-126786">Now, BCCI snubs Smith, Warner over ball-tampering</a>

The Board of Control for Cricket in India has removed Steve Smith and David Warner from the upcoming edition of Indian Premier League and said that the franchises, Rajasthan Royals and Sunrisers Hyderabad, will get the replacements.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/facebook-to-introduce-new-privacy-controls-in-wake-of-data-scandal-126804">Facebook to introduce new privacy controls in wake of data scandal</a>

Facebook, embroiled in a huge data scandal which has wiped off over $100 billion in its market value, on Wednesday announced a series of privacy changes it was making to give users more control over their data.

After Xi, Kim meeting, Trump says North Korean leader 'will do what is right for his people and for humanity' As Kim Jong Un met China's President Xi in Beijing in a secret, President Trump in a tweet said the North Korean leader will do "what is right and move toward peace". CBSE exam paper leak: PM Modi asks HRD minister to take 'strict action' The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) will be reconducting the Economics exam for Class XII and Mathematics exam for Class X after reports of paper leak surfaced. 'King of Good Times' Vijay Mallya to get married to girlfriend Pinky Lalwani Vijay Mallya, popularly referred to as the ‘King of Good Times’ who was believed to be going through a rough patch owing to his loan fraud with Indian banks and money laundering issues, is after all not having such a bad time in the UK. Israel's El Al appeals against Air India flights over Saudi Israel's national airline El Al appealed to the Supreme Court on Wednesday to cancel the authorisation of direct Air India flights between New Delhi and Tel Aviv via Saudi airspace fearing financial damage to it and view it as aerial discrimination. Now, BCCI snubs Smith, Warner over ball-tampering The Board of Control for Cricket in India has removed Steve Smith and David Warner from the upcoming edition of Indian Premier League and said that the franchises, Rajasthan Royals and Sunrisers Hyderabad, will get the replacements. Facebook to introduce new privacy controls in wake of data scandal Facebook, embroiled in a huge data scandal which has wiped off over $100 billion in its market value, on Wednesday announced a series of privacy changes it was making to give users more control over their data.

WION evening news brief, March 28, 2018

US President Donald Trump said Wednesday said the historic meeting between the leaders of China and North Korea had gone 'very well' and that Kim Jong Un is eager to hold a summit with Trump.

"Received message last night from XI JINPING of China that his meeting with KIM JONG UN went very well and that KIM looks forward to his meeting with me," Trump tweeted.

"In the meantime, and unfortunately, maximum sanctions and pressure must be maintained at all cost!," he added after Kim concluded a secretive three-day meeting in Beijing with President Xi Jinping.

US President Donald Trump said Wednesday said the historic meeting between the leaders of China and North Korea had gone 'very well' and that Kim Jong Un is eager to hold a summit with Trump

US President Donald Trump said Wednesday said the historic meeting between the leaders of China and North Korea had gone 'very well' and that Kim Jong Un is eager to hold a summit with Trump. "Received message last night from XI JINPING of China that his meeting with KIM JONG UN went very well and that KIM looks forward to his meeting with me," Trump tweeted. "In the meantime, and unfortunately, maximum sanctions and pressure must be maintained at all cost!," he added after Kim concluded a secretive three-day meeting in Beijing with President Xi Jinping.

Trump says Xi-Kim meeting went 'very well,' Kim eager to meet him

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's visit to China, countering what had been growing estrangement between the Cold War allies, is likely to bolster Pyongyang's leverage going into a planned summit between Kim and US President Donald Trump.

For Chinese President Xi Jinping, the meeting with a long-troublesome neighbour ensures Beijing will not be left out of any deal struck between the United States and North and South Korea, experts said.

Months of frosty relations between Beijing and Pyongyang appeared suddenly to thaw with Kim's secretive trip, which saw the Chinese capital go into security lockdown as the mysterious North Korean delegation toured the city.

China said Kim had pledged to denuclearise the Korean peninsula while North Korean state media said Xi had accepted "with pleasure" an invitation to visit the North.

Kim's meeting with Xi strengthens North Korea's negotiating position by aligning the two nations ahead of Trump and Kim's planned meeting, said Wang Peng, a North Korea expert at the Charhar Institute in Beijing.

"North Korea is seeking assurances," he said. "They want to quickly mend ties with China so that they have more leeway with the United States and they have more confidence in a good outcome."

Analysts say North Korea has been hurt by tightening UN sanctions and would need Beijing's support for any softening of trade restrictions.

China wanted to show its importance as a partner to North Korea and ease worries about being sidelined in negotiations between the Koreas the United States.

“At the end of the day, China’s got huge interests and it was not comfortable not being at the table,” said Paul Haenle, director of the Carnegie–Tsinghua Center in Beijing and a White House representative to the Six Party Talks from 2007-2009.

“Kim Jong Un's first meeting with a head of state was with the Chinese president, which frankly from the Chinese perspective is exactly the right thing,” he added.

Trump's decision to hire hardliners such as incoming National Security Adviser John Bolton may have put added pressure on North Korea before the summit, said Han Suk-hee, professor of Chinese Studies at Yonsei University.

"It seems that North Korea is not ready to deal with the United States without support and help from its longtime ally China," he said.&nbsp

China, as well as being North Korea's biggest trade partner, also has key strategic interest in assuring its isolated neighbour remains a buffer between it and South Korea, home to 28,500 US troops.&nbsp

The two nations also have long-standing emotional and historic ties. China sometimes says they are "blood brothers", having fought side-by-side in the 1950-53 Korean War.

The two remained close allies in the decades immediately after the Korean War, but have drifted apart since Kim succeeded his late father. 
North Korea`s rapid escalation of nuclear tests and missile launches, combined with the assassination of Kim`s half-brother last year in a Kuala Lumpur airport, brought diplomatic ties between Beijing and Pyongyang to historic lows.

With China signing on to ever-stricter United Nations sanctions against Pyongyang, North Korean state media took to openly criticizing and even threatening China.

"China is ... the only state willing and able to immediately ease North Korea`s economic burden," said Christopher Green, senior adviser at International Crisis Group. North Korea was not prepared to give up its close relationship with China, much as it may chafe at its economic and political reliance on its much bigger neighbour, he added.

With North and South Korean relations improving during the Winter Olympics and plans for summits involving Trump, Moon and Kim, Beijing had reasons to resume contact with North Korea that had all but disappeared in the past year.

Xi stressed to Kim that past Chinese and North Korean leaders had always visited each other "as often as relatives", proposing the two leaders set up new channels of communication, China`s official Xinhua news agency reported on Wednesday.&nbsp

Chinese state media has cast Beijing as crucial to forcing talks between Trump and Kim with its "freeze for freeze" pitch for North Korea to suspend nuclear and missile tests, and South Korea and the United States to suspend military drills.

"It's extremely difficult for the US to map out a feasible denuclearisation process that meets the North Korean preconditions without China's support and involvement," said Cheng Xiaohe, a North Korea expert at Renmin University in Beijing. "China wants to show it cannot be left out."&nbsp

Speaking at a banquet hosted by Xi, Kim Jong Un expressed gratitude to China for readily accepting his proposal to visit and all the efforts Chinese leaders made to pave the way for a successful visit in a short period of time, according to the North`s official KCNA news agency.

China remains an advocate for a dual track of pressure and greater dialogue with North Korea, a position at odds with the Trump administration`s maximal pressure approach.

That disagreement had left Beijing sidelined amid the escalating crisis, shunning a meeting of foreign ministers in Canada where leaders discussed how to pressure the North into backing down.

North Korea may also be taking advantage of tensions in US-China relations over trade and the disputed South China Sea to draw in Beijing, Jia Qingguo, dean of the School of International Studies at China`s Peking University&nbsp

"China wants North Korea to denuclearise but does not want to alienate North Korea at a time when China-US relations are deteriorating very fast," said Jia, who has advised the government on foreign policy.

"We want a denuclearized North Korea, but at the same time we want North Korea to be a friend."

Analysts say North Korea has been hurt by tightening UN sanctions and would need Beijing's support for any softening of trade restrictions

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's visit to China, countering what had been growing estrangement between the Cold War allies, is likely to bolster Pyongyang's leverage going into a planned summit between Kim and US President Donald Trump. For Chinese President Xi Jinping, the meeting with a long-troublesome neighbour ensures Beijing will not be left out of any deal struck between the United States and North and South Korea, experts said. Months of frosty relations between Beijing and Pyongyang appeared suddenly to thaw with Kim's secretive trip, which saw the Chinese capital go into security lockdown as the mysterious North Korean delegation toured the city. China said Kim had pledged to denuclearise the Korean peninsula while North Korean state media said Xi had accepted "with pleasure" an invitation to visit the North. Kim's meeting with Xi strengthens North Korea's negotiating position by aligning the two nations ahead of Trump and Kim's planned meeting, said Wang Peng, a North Korea expert at the Charhar Institute in Beijing. "North Korea is seeking assurances," he said. "They want to quickly mend ties with China so that they have more leeway with the United States and they have more confidence in a good outcome." Analysts say North Korea has been hurt by tightening UN sanctions and would need Beijing's support for any softening of trade restrictions. China wanted to show its importance as a partner to North Korea and ease worries about being sidelined in negotiations between the Koreas the United States. “At the end of the day, China’s got huge interests and it was not comfortable not being at the table,” said Paul Haenle, director of the Carnegie–Tsinghua Center in Beijing and a White House representative to the Six Party Talks from 2007-2009. “Kim Jong Un's first meeting with a head of state was with the Chinese president, which frankly from the Chinese perspective is exactly the right thing,” he added. Trump's decision to hire hardliners such as incoming National Security Adviser John Bolton may have put added pressure on North Korea before the summit, said Han Suk-hee, professor of Chinese Studies at Yonsei University. "It seems that North Korea is not ready to deal with the United States without support and help from its longtime ally China," he said. China, as well as being North Korea's biggest trade partner, also has key strategic interest in assuring its isolated neighbour remains a buffer between it and South Korea, home to 28,500 US troops. The two nations also have long-standing emotional and historic ties. China sometimes says they are "blood brothers", having fought side-by-side in the 1950-53 Korean War. The two remained close allies in the decades immediately after the Korean War, but have drifted apart since Kim succeeded his late father. North Korea`s rapid escalation of nuclear tests and missile launches, combined with the assassination of Kim`s half-brother last year in a Kuala Lumpur airport, brought diplomatic ties between Beijing and Pyongyang to historic lows. With China signing on to ever-stricter United Nations sanctions against Pyongyang, North Korean state media took to openly criticizing and even threatening China. "China is ... the only state willing and able to immediately ease North Korea`s economic burden," said Christopher Green, senior adviser at International Crisis Group. North Korea was not prepared to give up its close relationship with China, much as it may chafe at its economic and political reliance on its much bigger neighbour, he added. With North and South Korean relations improving during the Winter Olympics and plans for summits involving Trump, Moon and Kim, Beijing had reasons to resume contact with North Korea that had all but disappeared in the past year. Xi stressed to Kim that past Chinese and North Korean leaders had always visited each other "as often as relatives", proposing the two leaders set up new channels of communication, China`s official Xinhua news agency reported on Wednesday. Chinese state media has cast Beijing as crucial to forcing talks between Trump and Kim with its "freeze for freeze" pitch for North Korea to suspend nuclear and missile tests, and South Korea and the United States to suspend military drills. "It's extremely difficult for the US to map out a feasible denuclearisation process that meets the North Korean preconditions without China's support and involvement," said Cheng Xiaohe, a North Korea expert at Renmin University in Beijing. "China wants to show it cannot be left out." Speaking at a banquet hosted by Xi, Kim Jong Un expressed gratitude to China for readily accepting his proposal to visit and all the efforts Chinese leaders made to pave the way for a successful visit in a short period of time, according to the North`s official KCNA news agency. China remains an advocate for a dual track of pressure and greater dialogue with North Korea, a position at odds with the Trump administration`s maximal pressure approach. That disagreement had left Beijing sidelined amid the escalating crisis, shunning a meeting of foreign ministers in Canada where leaders discussed how to pressure the North into backing down. North Korea may also be taking advantage of tensions in US-China relations over trade and the disputed South China Sea to draw in Beijing, Jia Qingguo, dean of the School of International Studies at China`s Peking University "China wants North Korea to denuclearise but does not want to alienate North Korea at a time when China-US relations are deteriorating very fast," said Jia, who has advised the government on foreign policy. "We want a denuclearized North Korea, but at the same time we want North Korea to be a friend."

With secretive China trip, North Korea's Kim builds bargaining power

Any change of status quo along the India-China border may lead to another Doklam-like crisis, India&#39;s envoy in Beijing has cautioned even as he asserted there was &quot;no change&quot; at the standoff site even though the PLA may be reinforcing its troops &quot;well behind the sensitive area&quot;.

Gautam Bambawale said though &quot;no change&quot; has taken place in the standoff site at Doklam after it was resolved last year, he squarely blamed China for the crisis saying it happened because Beijing tried to alter the &quot;status quo&quot; which it should not have.

The 73-day standoff ended on August 28 last year after China agreed to halt the road building activities by PLA troops at Doklam in Sikkim sector.

&quot;No, I can tell you that you in Doklam area, which we call close proximity or sometimes the face-off site, the area where there was close confrontation or close proximity between Indian and Chinese military troops, that there is no change taking place today,&quot; Bambawale said reacting to reports of the Chinese military stepping up infrastructure build-up in the area.

&quot;Maybe behind, the Chinese may be putting more military barracks to put in more soldiers, but that is well behind the sensitive area,&quot; he said in a wide-ranging interview to the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post.

&quot;Those are the things you&#39;re free to do and we are also free to do, because you&#39;re doing it inside your territory and we are doing it inside our territory,&quot; he said.

Indian troops intervened to stop Chinese soldiers from building a road close to India&#39;s narrow &#39;Chicken&#39;s Neck&#39; corridor that connects the northeastern states. Besides China, the area is also claimed by Bhutan.

Recent reports said the Chinese military is trying to work around or outflank Indian troops in the Doklam area.

Bambawale defended India&#39;s decision to stop Chinese troops from building the road saying no attempt should be made to change the status quo.

&quot;If anyone changes the status quo, it will lead to a situation like what happened in Doklam. I can tell you very frankly and you can quote me on this. The Chinese military changed the status quo in the

Doklam area and therefore India reacted to it. Ours was a reaction to the change in the status quo by the Chinese military,&quot; he said, adding that China should inform India about such initiatives in sensitive areas.

He called for delineation of the 3,488-km Line of Actual Control (LAC) which China has refused earlier.

&quot;The India-China boundary is un-demarcated and un-delineated, so we have to talk to each other to delineate and demarcate it, which means to draw the boundary line. Now in the meantime, while we are discussing where the boundary will lie, both China and India have agreed that we should maintain peace and tranquillity in the border areas,&quot; he said.

He said at present both countries are having &quot;a lot of dialogue&quot; especially at the political level, and also at the economic level, as he welcomed Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi&#39;s recent comments that the Indian elephant and the Chinese dragon must not fight but dance together.

He also said Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit China to take part in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation(SCO) in June during which there will &quot;definitely&quot; be a bilateral meeting between him and President Xi Jinping.

The summit is due to be held in the Chinese city of Qingdao from June 9-10.

&quot;During that, we will definitely have bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Modi and President Xi Jinping. And before that happens we want to have a lot of other meetings,&quot; Bambawale said.

&quot;We will have a whole series of meetings in the next few weeks and months,&quot; he said adding that the boundary officials of both the countries will also meet.

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman recently said she will visit China next month. The foreign ministers of the SCO countries are also due to meet before the summit.

About the forays being made by China into India&#39;s neighbourhood, he said New Delhi is not worried about it as it has strong relationships with its neighbours.

He also said South Asian countries are free to have relationships with any country including China.

&quot;Let me tell you very clearly that India has its own relationships with all these countries. These are very strong relationships and India is also doing a lot of projects in all these countries, such as the Maldives, Nepal or Sri Lanka,&quot; he said.

He also spoke of India&#39;s strong reservations about the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) which is part of China&#39;s multibillion-dollar Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), and called for candid talks to resolve the differences.

&quot;When we talk about development projects or connectivity projects, they must be transparent, fair and equal. There are certain internationally accepted norms for such projects,&quot; he said in apparent reference to criticism that the BRI projects lacks transparency.

&quot;If a project meets those norms, we will be happy to take part in it. One of the norms is the project should not violate the sovereignty and territorial integrity of a country. Unfortunately, there is this thing called CPEC, which is called a flagship project of BRI, which violates India&#39;s sovereignty and territory integrity. Therefore, we oppose it,&quot; he said.

The USD 50 billion CPEC traverses through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

Gautam Bambawale said though 'no change' has taken place in the standoff site at Doklam after it was resolved last year

Any change of status quo along the India-China border may lead to another Doklam-like crisis, India's envoy in Beijing has cautioned even as he asserted there was "no change" at the standoff site even though the PLA may be reinforcing its troops "well behind the sensitive area". Gautam Bambawale said though "no change" has taken place in the standoff site at Doklam after it was resolved last year, he squarely blamed China for the crisis saying it happened because Beijing tried to alter the "status quo" which it should not have. The 73-day standoff ended on August 28 last year after China agreed to halt the road building activities by PLA troops at Doklam in Sikkim sector. "No, I can tell you that you in Doklam area, which we call close proximity or sometimes the face-off site, the area where there was close confrontation or close proximity between Indian and Chinese military troops, that there is no change taking place today," Bambawale said reacting to reports of the Chinese military stepping up infrastructure build-up in the area. "Maybe behind, the Chinese may be putting more military barracks to put in more soldiers, but that is well behind the sensitive area," he said in a wide-ranging interview to the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post. "Those are the things you're free to do and we are also free to do, because you're doing it inside your territory and we are doing it inside our territory," he said. Indian troops intervened to stop Chinese soldiers from building a road close to India's narrow 'Chicken's Neck' corridor that connects the northeastern states. Besides China, the area is also claimed by Bhutan. Recent reports said the Chinese military is trying to work around or outflank Indian troops in the Doklam area. Bambawale defended India's decision to stop Chinese troops from building the road saying no attempt should be made to change the status quo. "If anyone changes the status quo, it will lead to a situation like what happened in Doklam. I can tell you very frankly and you can quote me on this. The Chinese military changed the status quo in the Doklam area and therefore India reacted to it. Ours was a reaction to the change in the status quo by the Chinese military," he said, adding that China should inform India about such initiatives in sensitive areas. He called for delineation of the 3,488-km Line of Actual Control (LAC) which China has refused earlier. "The India-China boundary is un-demarcated and un-delineated, so we have to talk to each other to delineate and demarcate it, which means to draw the boundary line. Now in the meantime, while we are discussing where the boundary will lie, both China and India have agreed that we should maintain peace and tranquillity in the border areas," he said. He said at present both countries are having "a lot of dialogue" especially at the political level, and also at the economic level, as he welcomed Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi's recent comments that the Indian elephant and the Chinese dragon must not fight but dance together. He also said Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit China to take part in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation(SCO) in June during which there will "definitely" be a bilateral meeting between him and President Xi Jinping. The summit is due to be held in the Chinese city of Qingdao from June 9-10. "During that, we will definitely have bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Modi and President Xi Jinping. And before that happens we want to have a lot of other meetings," Bambawale said. "We will have a whole series of meetings in the next few weeks and months," he said adding that the boundary officials of both the countries will also meet. Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman recently said she will visit China next month. The foreign ministers of the SCO countries are also due to meet before the summit. About the forays being made by China into India's neighbourhood, he said New Delhi is not worried about it as it has strong relationships with its neighbours. He also said South Asian countries are free to have relationships with any country including China. "Let me tell you very clearly that India has its own relationships with all these countries. These are very strong relationships and India is also doing a lot of projects in all these countries, such as the Maldives, Nepal or Sri Lanka," he said. He also spoke of India's strong reservations about the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) which is part of China's multibillion-dollar Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), and called for candid talks to resolve the differences. "When we talk about development projects or connectivity projects, they must be transparent, fair and equal. There are certain internationally accepted norms for such projects," he said in apparent reference to criticism that the BRI projects lacks transparency. "If a project meets those norms, we will be happy to take part in it. One of the norms is the project should not violate the sovereignty and territorial integrity of a country. Unfortunately, there is this thing called CPEC, which is called a flagship project of BRI, which violates India's sovereignty and territory integrity. Therefore, we oppose it," he said. The USD 50 billion CPEC traverses through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

Don't change status quo on border to avert another Doklam: India's envoy

&nbsp;Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit China to take part in the SCO summit in June during which there will &quot;definitely&quot; be a bilateral meeting between him and President Xi Jinping, India&#39;s envoy Gautam Bambawale has said.

&quot;During that (SCO summit), we will definitely have a bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Modi and President Xi Jinping. And before that happens we want to have a lot of other meetings,&quot; said Bambawale in an interview to Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post.

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), a China-dominated security grouping, is increasingly seen as a counterweight to NATO.

The SCO summit is due to be held in the Chinese city of Qingdao from June 9-10.

Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi&nbsp;congratulated Chinese President Xi Jinping over the phone on his re-election for another five years and discussed efforts by both the countries to enhance high-level exchanges and deepen bilateral cooperation.&nbsp;

Both India and China are ancient civilisations with global influence,&nbsp;India will work with China to enhance high-level exchanges, deepen bilateral ties, strengthen coordination and cooperation in international affairs to further a closer developmental partnership between the two countries and promote global and regional peace and development, according to the report.&nbsp;

In an interview to Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post, Bambawale said: &quot;During that (SCO summit), we will definitely have a bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Modi and President Xi Jinping.&nbsp;And before that happens we want to have a lot of other meetings&quot;.

&quot;We will have a whole series of meetings in the next few weeks and months,&quot; the envoy said, adding that the boundary officials of both the countries will also be meeting.

&quot;We are having these meetings to have candid and frank discussions,&quot; Bambawale said.

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman recently said that she would visit China next month.

The Foreign Ministers of the SCO countries are also due to meet before the summit.

Last year, Indian and Chinese troops had been locked in a stand off for over two months at the Dokalam area in Sikkim section. The face off ended on August 28.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The SCO summit is due to be held in the Chinese city of Qingdao from June 9-10

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit China to take part in the SCO summit in June during which there will "definitely" be a bilateral meeting between him and President Xi Jinping, India's envoy Gautam Bambawale has said. "During that (SCO summit), we will definitely have a bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Modi and President Xi Jinping. And before that happens we want to have a lot of other meetings," said Bambawale in an interview to Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post. The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), a China-dominated security grouping, is increasingly seen as a counterweight to NATO. The SCO summit is due to be held in the Chinese city of Qingdao from June 9-10. Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Chinese President Xi Jinping over the phone on his re-election for another five years and discussed efforts by both the countries to enhance high-level exchanges and deepen bilateral cooperation. Both India and China are ancient civilisations with global influence, India will work with China to enhance high-level exchanges, deepen bilateral ties, strengthen coordination and cooperation in international affairs to further a closer developmental partnership between the two countries and promote global and regional peace and development, according to the report. In an interview to Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post, Bambawale said: "During that (SCO summit), we will definitely have a bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Modi and President Xi Jinping. And before that happens we want to have a lot of other meetings". "We will have a whole series of meetings in the next few weeks and months," the envoy said, adding that the boundary officials of both the countries will also be meeting. "We are having these meetings to have candid and frank discussions," Bambawale said. Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman recently said that she would visit China next month. The Foreign Ministers of the SCO countries are also due to meet before the summit. Last year, Indian and Chinese troops had been locked in a stand off for over two months at the Dokalam area in Sikkim section. The face off ended on August 28.

Modi-Xi will 'definitely' meet during SCO summit: India's envoy

President Donald Trump is poised to unveil sanctions against China Thursday for the &quot;theft&quot; of US intellectual property, a White House official said, teeing up a second potential confrontation in as many months.

Spokesman Raj Shah told AFP that Trump will announce actions following an &quot;investigation into China&#39;s state-led, market-distorting efforts to force, pressure, and steal US technologies and intellectual property.&quot;

According to his schedule, released by the White House on Wednesday evening, he will sign &quot;a Presidential Memorandum targeting China&#39;s economic aggression.&quot;

Beijing has already warned the Trump administration against the move, urging him not act &quot;emotionally.&quot;

It is just weeks since Trump short-circuited White House deliberations and announced a raft of sanctions on foreign-produced steel and aluminum off the cuff.

That move prompted the resignation of top economic advisor Gary Cohn, a global stock market selloff, legal disputes and threats of retaliatory measures.

On Wednesday Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell warned that the prospect of a trade war was a growing threat to the world&#39;s largest economy.

But the impulsive president is showing no sign of backing down.

US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer recently put a separate proposed package of $30 billion in tariffs on Chinese imports on Trump&#39;s desk.

And Trump appears to have agreed to at least that amount, as he tries to fulfil campaign promises to get tough on &quot;cheating&quot; by US trade partners, which he says have destroyed American jobs.

The US trade deficit with China ran to a record $375 billion last year -- but US exports to the country were also at a record.

Washington has long accused Beijing of forcing US companies to turn over proprietary commercial information and intellectual property as a condition of operating in China.

Trump claims to have built up a generally good relationship with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping whom he has praised for his role in pressuring North Korea over its nuclear program.

However, the trade dispute threatens to cast a pall over those relations, especially given the recent warnings from Beijing.

A laundry list of grievances 
A senior official in Lighthizer&#39;s office said Wednesday that the Clinton, Bush and Obama administrations had attempted over the decades to coax China into respecting market economics and trade liberalization, but had all failed.

The Trump administration opened an investigation last August, acting on a series of allegations against China including that as a condition of doing business, China forces US companies to enter joint ventures and transfer technology and trade secrets to domestic partners and that US companies are not able to license intellectual property in China as freely as Chinese companies.

US officials also allege China has hacked US networks and conducted industrial espionage to steal US intellectual property.

Chinese President Xi Jinping sent his top economics advisor Liu He to Washington this month to discuss the tensions of trade, but the US official said that at no point had the Chinese made a constructive proposal.

&quot;Certainly by November, the background was such that officials in China had reason to know about the concerns we&#39;ve raised ... At least, as of today the administration has not been satisfied with the types of responses we&#39;ve been getting from China,&quot; the senior official in Lighthizer&#39;s office said, speaking on condition of anonymity in a briefing to reporters.

&quot;Obviously the president will have the final say in terms of what we end up doing here.&quot;

&quot;As a general matter, we do have very strong evidence that China uses foreign ownership restrictions such as joint venture requirements and foreign equity limitations to require or pressure technology transfer from US companies to Chinese entities,&quot; he added.

Tariffs talks 
Along with the announcement of that offensive, Washington also held out the possibility of a detente with regards to the EU, which reacted furiously to the news of steel and aluminum tariffs.

In a joint statement, US Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross and EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom said they agreed to immediately begin &quot;a process of discussion&quot; on the tariffs and other matters &quot;with a view to identifying mutually acceptable outcomes as rapidly as possible.&quot;

Malmstrom had called for Europe to be exempted as a whole. Speaking to reporters in Brussels on Wednesday, European Council President Donald Tusk said he harbored &quot;cautious optimism&quot; on the prospects for a resolution.

The White House already said Canada and Mexico, which are major producers of the metals, will temporarily be exempt from the tariffs during talks to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement.

A spokesman said Trump will announce actions following an 'investigation into China's state-led, market-distorting efforts to force, pressure, and steal US technologies and intellectual property'

President Donald Trump is poised to unveil sanctions against China Thursday for the "theft" of US intellectual property, a White House official said, teeing up a second potential confrontation in as many months. Spokesman Raj Shah told AFP that Trump will announce actions following an "investigation into China's state-led, market-distorting efforts to force, pressure, and steal US technologies and intellectual property." According to his schedule, released by the White House on Wednesday evening, he will sign "a Presidential Memorandum targeting China's economic aggression." Beijing has already warned the Trump administration against the move, urging him not act "emotionally." It is just weeks since Trump short-circuited White House deliberations and announced a raft of sanctions on foreign-produced steel and aluminum off the cuff. That move prompted the resignation of top economic advisor Gary Cohn, a global stock market selloff, legal disputes and threats of retaliatory measures. On Wednesday Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell warned that the prospect of a trade war was a growing threat to the world's largest economy. But the impulsive president is showing no sign of backing down. US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer recently put a separate proposed package of $30 billion in tariffs on Chinese imports on Trump's desk. And Trump appears to have agreed to at least that amount, as he tries to fulfil campaign promises to get tough on "cheating" by US trade partners, which he says have destroyed American jobs. The US trade deficit with China ran to a record $375 billion last year -- but US exports to the country were also at a record. Washington has long accused Beijing of forcing US companies to turn over proprietary commercial information and intellectual property as a condition of operating in China. Trump claims to have built up a generally good relationship with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping whom he has praised for his role in pressuring North Korea over its nuclear program. However, the trade dispute threatens to cast a pall over those relations, especially given the recent warnings from Beijing. A laundry list of grievances A senior official in Lighthizer's office said Wednesday that the Clinton, Bush and Obama administrations had attempted over the decades to coax China into respecting market economics and trade liberalization, but had all failed. The Trump administration opened an investigation last August, acting on a series of allegations against China including that as a condition of doing business, China forces US companies to enter joint ventures and transfer technology and trade secrets to domestic partners and that US companies are not able to license intellectual property in China as freely as Chinese companies. US officials also allege China has hacked US networks and conducted industrial espionage to steal US intellectual property. Chinese President Xi Jinping sent his top economics advisor Liu He to Washington this month to discuss the tensions of trade, but the US official said that at no point had the Chinese made a constructive proposal. "Certainly by November, the background was such that officials in China had reason to know about the concerns we've raised ... At least, as of today the administration has not been satisfied with the types of responses we've been getting from China," the senior official in Lighthizer's office said, speaking on condition of anonymity in a briefing to reporters. "Obviously the president will have the final say in terms of what we end up doing here." "As a general matter, we do have very strong evidence that China uses foreign ownership restrictions such as joint venture requirements and foreign equity limitations to require or pressure technology transfer from US companies to Chinese entities," he added. Tariffs talks Along with the announcement of that offensive, Washington also held out the possibility of a detente with regards to the EU, which reacted furiously to the news of steel and aluminum tariffs. In a joint statement, US Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross and EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom said they agreed to immediately begin "a process of discussion" on the tariffs and other matters "with a view to identifying mutually acceptable outcomes as rapidly as possible." Malmstrom had called for Europe to be exempted as a whole. Speaking to reporters in Brussels on Wednesday, European Council President Donald Tusk said he harbored "cautious optimism" on the prospects for a resolution. The White House already said Canada and Mexico, which are major producers of the metals, will temporarily be exempt from the tariffs during talks to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement.

Trump to announce trade sanctions against China on Thursday

President Xi Jinping delivered a blistering nationalist speech on Tuesday, warning against any attempts to split China and touting the country&#39;s readiness to fight &quot;the bloody battle&quot; to regain its rightful place in the world.

Xi&#39;s address capped an annual session of the National People&#39;s Congress that paved the way for him to rule for life, as China&#39;s most powerful leader since Mao Zedong pushes through his vision of guiding the country through a &quot;new era&quot; of unrivalled global military and economic supremacy.

Days after President Donald Trump signed new rules allowing top-level US officials to travel to Taiwan, Xi warned that Beijing would defend its &quot;one China principle&quot;, which sees the self-ruling island as its territory awaiting reunification.

&quot;All acts and tricks to separate the country are doomed to fail and will be condemned by the people and punished by history,&quot; Xi said.

But he also sought to address concerns about ambitious Chinese development projects abroad, saying they &quot;will not pose a threat to any country.&quot;

&quot;Only those who are accustomed to threatening others will see everyone as a threat,&quot; he added.

Xi used the speech to espouse his vision of realising the &quot;rejuvenation of the Chinese nation&quot; -- the &quot;greatest dream&quot; of the world&#39;s second-largest economy.

&quot;The Chinese people have been indomitable and persistent, we have the spirit of fighting the bloody battle against our enemies to the bitter end,&quot; he said.

But his speech was also a reminder that the Communist Party, more than ever, reigns over the country&#39;s affairs.

&quot;History has already proven and will continue to prove that only socialism can save China,&quot; he said.

&quot;The Communist Party is the supreme political leadership of the country and the fundamental guarantee to achieve the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.&quot;

- Indefinite rule -

The two-week session of the National People&#39;s Congress handed Xi, 64, a second term and endorsed the Communist Party&#39;s decision to lift presidential term limits, clearing the way for him to remain in power indefinitely after his second term ends in 2023.

His eponymous political philosophy, which was enshrined in the party charter last year, was added to the national constitution and senior government officials had to swear an oath to the document for the first time.

Some of Xi&#39;s key lieutenants were also promoted to top positions. His former anti-corruption czar, Wang Qishan, was elevated to the vice presidency while his top economic adviser, Liu He, became vice premier.

Wang could use his experience as a trade negotiator to deal with rocky relations with the Trump administration, while Liu is expected to have an influential role in economic policymaking.

The legislature also approved the biggest government shake-up in years, merging the banking and insurance regulators to tackle financial risks, and amended the constitution to expand the Communist Party&#39;s role in the country&#39;s affairs.

Xi&#39;s campaign against corruption within the Communist Party, which punished 1.5 million officials in five years, was expanded as the legislature voted Tuesday to create a national agency that will scrutinise millions of public servants.

&quot;The Communist Party of China must... resolutely eliminate&quot; corruption, Xi said.

The government&#39;s propaganda machine worked in overdrive to nurture a cult of personality around Xi and stamp out dissenting views during the two-week session.

The People&#39;s Daily, the Communist Party&#39;s mouthpiece, referred to Xi as the &quot;helmsman&quot; last weekend, an echo of Mao who was known as &quot;the great helmsman&quot;.

The abolition of term limits triggered a rare bout of criticism on social media, prompting censors to block dozens of phrases such as &quot;I disagree&quot; or &quot;emperor&quot; as well as satirical images such as Winnie the Pooh -- the cartoon bear that some compare to Xi.

China has stepped up its crackdown on civil society since Xi took power in 2012, tightening online restrictions and detaining hundreds of activists and lawyers.

Xi used the speech to espouse his vision of realising the "rejuvenation of the Chinese nation" -- the "greatest dream" of the world's second-largest economy.

President Xi Jinping delivered a blistering nationalist speech on Tuesday, warning against any attempts to split China and touting the country's readiness to fight "the bloody battle" to regain its rightful place in the world. Xi's address capped an annual session of the National People's Congress that paved the way for him to rule for life, as China's most powerful leader since Mao Zedong pushes through his vision of guiding the country through a "new era" of unrivalled global military and economic supremacy. Days after President Donald Trump signed new rules allowing top-level US officials to travel to Taiwan, Xi warned that Beijing would defend its "one China principle", which sees the self-ruling island as its territory awaiting reunification. "All acts and tricks to separate the country are doomed to fail and will be condemned by the people and punished by history," Xi said. But he also sought to address concerns about ambitious Chinese development projects abroad, saying they "will not pose a threat to any country." "Only those who are accustomed to threatening others will see everyone as a threat," he added. Xi used the speech to espouse his vision of realising the "rejuvenation of the Chinese nation" -- the "greatest dream" of the world's second-largest economy. "The Chinese people have been indomitable and persistent, we have the spirit of fighting the bloody battle against our enemies to the bitter end," he said. But his speech was also a reminder that the Communist Party, more than ever, reigns over the country's affairs. "History has already proven and will continue to prove that only socialism can save China," he said. "The Communist Party is the supreme political leadership of the country and the fundamental guarantee to achieve the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation." - Indefinite rule - The two-week session of the National People's Congress handed Xi, 64, a second term and endorsed the Communist Party's decision to lift presidential term limits, clearing the way for him to remain in power indefinitely after his second term ends in 2023. His eponymous political philosophy, which was enshrined in the party charter last year, was added to the national constitution and senior government officials had to swear an oath to the document for the first time. Some of Xi's key lieutenants were also promoted to top positions. His former anti-corruption czar, Wang Qishan, was elevated to the vice presidency while his top economic adviser, Liu He, became vice premier. Wang could use his experience as a trade negotiator to deal with rocky relations with the Trump administration, while Liu is expected to have an influential role in economic policymaking. The legislature also approved the biggest government shake-up in years, merging the banking and insurance regulators to tackle financial risks, and amended the constitution to expand the Communist Party's role in the country's affairs. Xi's campaign against corruption within the Communist Party, which punished 1.5 million officials in five years, was expanded as the legislature voted Tuesday to create a national agency that will scrutinise millions of public servants. "The Communist Party of China must... resolutely eliminate" corruption, Xi said. The government's propaganda machine worked in overdrive to nurture a cult of personality around Xi and stamp out dissenting views during the two-week session. The People's Daily, the Communist Party's mouthpiece, referred to Xi as the "helmsman" last weekend, an echo of Mao who was known as "the great helmsman". The abolition of term limits triggered a rare bout of criticism on social media, prompting censors to block dozens of phrases such as "I disagree" or "emperor" as well as satirical images such as Winnie the Pooh -- the cartoon bear that some compare to Xi. China has stepped up its crackdown on civil society since Xi took power in 2012, tightening online restrictions and detaining hundreds of activists and lawyers.

China ready to fight 'bloody battle' to regain its rightful place in the world: Xi Jinping

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