Show Of Bonhomie As PM Modi Turns Tourist Guide, Takes Xi Jinping Around Mahabalipuram

The traditional town of Mahabalipuram has turned into a fortress as an unprecedented security cover has been put in place for the meeting. Bulletproof makeshift structures have been put near the shore temple for the two leaders to hold talks.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Chinese President Xi Jinping, in Mamallapuram. (Image: PTI)

Chennai: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, wearing the traditional Tamil attire of 'veshti' (white dhoti), half-sleeve white shirt and angavastram over his shoulder, welcomed Chinese President Xi Jinping at Mamallapuram, also known Mahabalipuram, for the second informal India-China Summit. Soon after receiving Jinping, PM Modi took him on a cultural tour at the Arjuna's Penance in the city. Both the world leaders took a stroll of the ancient Cave temple and PM Modi explained history about each and every monument to Chinese President. PM Modi and the Chinese President Xi also visited the group of temples at Mahabalipuram. The group of monuments at Mahabalipuram is prescribed by UNESCO as a world heritage site.  Beginning the cultural tour, PM Modi first took President Xi Jinping to Arjuna's penance at Mamallapuram where the two leaders spent about 10 minutes and shook hands. Both leaders also visited the Krishna's butter ball which is in the adjoining garden.

PM @narendramodi welcomes President #XiJinping in #Mamallapuram

The town with a historic India-China connection now etches itself in history again by playing host to the 2nd Informal Summit #ModixijinpingMeet pic.twitter.com/oktw62frc4 — PIB India (@PIB_India) October 11, 2019

After Krishna's butter ball, PM Modi took the Chinese president to the Pancha Rathas complex in Mamallapuram. From there, the two leaders travelled a short distance in the same car to reach the Five Rathas. Then the two leaders decided to sit down for a small chat, each sipping tender coconut water. The two leaders will also enjoy the dance programme by students of Kalakshetra Foundation near the Shore Temple. According to officials, they will have dinner together and taste Tamil delicacies.

PM @narendramodi and President #XiJinping take a stroll through the ancient Cave Temple, a @UNESCO world Heritage site in #Mamallapuram#ModiXiSummit #ModixijinpingMeet pic.twitter.com/jelmWFBvmM

— PIB India (@PIB_India) October 11, 2019

According to reports, the traditional town of Mahabalipuram has turned into a fortress as an unprecedented security cover has been put in place for the meeting. Bulletproof makeshift structures have been put near the shore temple for the two leaders to hold talks. Not many Presidents and Prime Ministers are fortunate enough to have another country's Prime Minister to have as a tourist guide. But Jinping was fortunate as he had PM Modi as his guide, explaining in great detail about the architecture and significance of the three important rock-cut monuments in the famed sculpture town Mahabalipuram, about 60 km from Chennai.

Together we stand tall

PM @narendramodi and President #XiJinping stand beneath Krishna's butterball, a gigantic granite boulder 6 meters high and 5 meters wide and weighing around 250 tons, resting on a short incline #ModiXiSummit #ModixijinpingMeet pic.twitter.com/firxwoFZzy — PIB India (@PIB_India) October 11, 2019

Accompanied by a 100-member strong delegation, including Foreign Minister Wang Yi and State Councillor Yang Jiechi, Xinping landed at the Chennai International airport for the two-day informal talks with PM Modi in Mahabalipuram starting Friday. The Chinese delegation includes Ding Xuexiang and Yang Jiechi, Members of Political Bureau, CPC Central Committee, Wang Yi, State Councillor and Foreign Minister, and H.E. Lifeng, Vice Chairman of the National Committee of Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, among others.

PM @narendramodi and President #XiJinping walk through the ancient Pancha Rathas complex in #Mamallapuram

Each of the five monuments in the Pancha Rathas premises resembles a chariot, and each is carved through a single, long stone#ModiXiSummit #ModixijinpingMeet pic.twitter.com/htKADMvNA5 — PIB India (@PIB_India) October 11, 2019

Wang Yi and Yang Jiechi will hold separate talks with their Indian counterparts -- External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. While Xi is staying at the AITC Grand Hotel in Chennai, Modi is putting up at the Taj Fisherman's Cove Resort & Spa in Mahabalipuram. The talks between the two leaders will be held at the Taj Fisherman's Cove Resort & Spa on Friday evening and Saturday.