PM Modi hosts private dinner for Chinese President

Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted a private dinner for Chinese President Xi Jinping and first lady of China Peng Liyuan at the newly-developed Sabarmati River Front in Ahmedabad on Wednesday.

According to reports, the highlight of menu is expected to be Gujarati cuisine consisting of 100 dishes. The menu mainly comprises Kathiavadi and Indian cuisine. Some Chinese dishes are also reportedly included. The dinner is being served in specially created tents erected on the banks of the Sabarmati River. All tents are centrally air conditioned and the area has been secured.

The Chinese dignitaries were treated to a sequence of folk programmes, including Gujarat's famed Garba dance, before heading for dinner.

The two leaders earlier visited the Sabarmati Ashram here, where they paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi.

The visiting Chinese president was shown around the ashram by Prime Minister Modi. He was also presented with mementos on the occasion.

India and China earlier in the day signed three Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) including the setting up of an industrial park in Gujarat.

The MOUs were signed in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

The MoU related to setting up of the industrial park in Gujarat was the first one to be signed between the two countries.

The second one was the sister city pact between China's Guangzhou and Ahmedabad related to developing the model state.

The third MOU was signed between Guangzhou and Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation related to sister city relations.

President Xi, who is on a three-day visit to India, was earlier today received by Prime Minister Modi at a hotel, where the Prime Minister also presented a bouquet of flowers to both the Xi and his wife. The two leaders shook hands with each other and exchanged brief pleasantries.

The Chinese President was earlier received by Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel and her Cabinet colleagues at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on his arrival here.