Days Before Xi’s Proposed Visit, China Still Hasn’t Confirmed Plan

The two world leaders are expected to meet in Mamallapuram near Chennai on 11-12 October.

Chinese President Xi Jinping (left) and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (right). 

(Photo: PTI)

The next 24-48 hours is said to be vital for the announcement of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s likely visit to India for an informal summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Although there has been no official confirmation from Beijing yet, sources have told The Indian Express that both the countries will make the announcement once the confirmation comes through.

Jinping is expected to meet Modi in Mamallapuram near Chennai on 11-12 October, and New Delhi has made accordingly made preparations for the meeting.

China’s Ambassador to India Sun Weidong on Sunday, 6 October, took to Twitter to express his content with the steady progress of the relationship between the two nations.

Commenting on the Chinese President’s visit, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar asked media to be ‘a little patient on that matter.’

Reports have also emerged about President Jinping’s visit to Kathmandu while news agency PTI reported that Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan would be visiting China starting Tuesday, 8 October.

THE OBSTACLES

While Chinese ambassador Sun Weidong might be happy about the ‘steady relations’ between the two countries, on Saturday India lodged a strong protest against China over its comments on Kashmir, reported The Indian Express.

The Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Yao Jing had said that China would stand by Pakistan on the resolution of the Kashmir dispute.

“We are also working for Kashmiris to help them get their fundamental rights and justice. There should be a justified solution to the issue of Kashmir and China will stand by Pakistan for regional peace and stability,”

Yao Jing, Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan as quoted by Pakistani daily The Express Tribune

India has viewed this statement as a deviance from Beijing’s stance on the Kashmir issue and considers it as an interference in the country’s internal matters and “not keeping in spirit” with the Chinese president’s proposed visit.

There has been no official response from China yet, however, the report quoted Chinese government sources as saying:

“China endeavours to promote peace and stability in the region and hopes that both sides can solve problems through dialogue and consultations.”

(With Inputs from The Indian Express)