No Agreements, MoUs To Be Inked; Kashmir, Article 370, Not To Figure In Modi-Xi Talks

PM Modi will hold one-to-one and delegation-level talks with the Chinese President, who will be accompanied by China's Foreign Minister and Politburo members, on his visit to India on October 11-12.

The Chinese President Xi Jinping will visit Chennai from October 11-12 for the second informal summit between India and China. Sources said no agreements, MoUs or a joint communique are expected to be signed as this is an informal summit. (PTI)

New Delhi: The Chinese President Xi Jinping will visit Chennai from October 11-12 for the second informal summit between India and China. Sources said no agreements, MoUs or a joint communique are expected to be signed as this is an informal summit. While the sources also suggested that Kashmir, and India's revocation of Article 370, would also be not discussed during the second informal summit between the leaders, as these relate to the Indian Constitution, and are a part of India's "sovereign function". PM Modi will hold one-to-one and delegation-level talks with the Chinese President, who will be accompanied by China's Foreign Minister and Politburo members, on his visit to India on October 11-12. As the leaders are to meet in the seaside town of Mahabalipuram for the second informal summit, sources said that the meeting between them has no specific agenda. The focus of the meeting will be on improving people to people contact and on how to maintain peace and tranquillity along the India-China border. The sources also made clear that Kashmir and Article 370 would not be discussed between the two leaders. "India has made its position very clear (on Article 370), that it relates to the Indian Constitution, which is a sovereign function. And thus the issue of discussion on it does not arise," sources said. "In case President Xi wants to understand the issue, then we will explain it," the sources added. Meanwhile, the sources have also confirmed that the fact Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan is on a visit to China currently "is of no concern" to India. "It is between China and Pakistan, and is of no concern to us," the sources said. Ahead of Xi's India visit for the informal summit, Beijing on Tuesday had moderated its stand on Kashmir, saying the issue should be resolved between India and Pakistan through dialogue and consultation. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang, to a query on Pakistan PM Imran Khan's ongoing visit and whether the Kashmir issue would figure during talks, said in Beijing: "China's position on Kashmir issue is clear and consistent. "We call on India and Pakistan to engage in dialogue and consultation on all issues including Kashmir issue and consolidate mutual trust. This is in line with the interest of both countries and common aspiration of the world." (with inputs from PTI)