India, China to hold delegation-level talks in Delhi

India and China will hold delegation-level talks here today with the objective of expanding bilateral cooperation and strengthening ties.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and visiting Chinese President Xi Jinping are expected to discuss important regional and international issues during the talks.

The Chinese President, who is accompanied by his wife, Peng Liyuan, and a delegation of senior party functionaries and government officials, will be accorded a ceremonial reception at the forecourt of the Rashtrapati Bhawan this morning.

Thereafter, he will visit Rajghat to pay homage at the memorial dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi.

It is expected that the talks will be focused on boosting trade and investments, besides a discussion on substantive issues, including the unresolved boundary question.

It is being reported that China is keen to invest its money in upgrading India's railway infrastructure, industrial parks, power generation and smart cities.

India on the other hand will be keen to seek market access in China for its IT and pharma companies and attract Chinese investment to reduce its mounting trade deficit.

Both sides are also expected to discuss cooperation in civil nuclear energy.

President Jinping and his delegation were in Ahmedabad on Wednesday, where they met with Gujarat Governor O.P. Kohli, Prime Minister Modi, Chief Minister Anandiben Patel and her senior cabinet colleagues.

President Xi and Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a one-to-one discussion at the Hyatt Hotel in Ahmedabad after which both sides inked three memoranda of understanding.

The first MoU relates to the setting up of an industrial park in Gujarat. The second MoU is between China's Guangdong Province and the Gujarat Government for development of cultural and social ties.

The third MoU was between Guangzhou city of China and the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation to make the two sister cities.

Prime Minister Modi hosted a private dinner for the visiting dignitaries at the picturesque Sabarmati river front.

Later the Chinese President left for New Delhi.