Modi, Xi hold summit talks, visit Wild Goose Pagoda

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held summit-level talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping here on Thursday after which the two leaders went to visit the Wild Goose Pagoda there.

Modi, who arrived here in the morning, held delegation level talks with Xi.

Xi welcomed Modi at the Shaanxi Guest House and the two leaders shook hands for photographs. Modi said he was humbled by the welcome he has received at Xi'an.

Modi, attired in a black bandhgala suit, spoke in Hindi, while Xi spoke in Chinese.

The Chinese president recalled his visit to Ahmedabad in September last year, during which Modi received him and also presented a colourful event for Xi and his wife at the Sabarmati River Front, in a break from usual practice.

Xi said, "You received me very warmly in your hometown. I am very glad to receive you in my hometown."

"That left me with deep and good impression," Xi said.

Boosting trade, correcting the glaring trade imbalance and the border issues are believed to have figured in the talks between the two leaders.

According to Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar, the two leaders spoke of the need to strengthen cooperation on countering terrorism and also discussed connectivity issues.

Later, Modi and Xi visited the Wild Goose Pagoda, a sacred Buddhist place, for worship.

The pagoda was built in 652 A.D. during the Tyang dynasty and originally had five storeys. One of the pagoda's many functions was to hold sutras and figurines of the Buddha that were brought to China from India by the Buddhist translator and traveller Xuan Zang or Hieun Tsang.

Modi also handed over a sapling of the Mahabodhi tree to a priest at the pagoda.

Earlier in the day, after his arrival, Modi visited the Terracotta Warriors Museum and the ancient Da Xing Shan Buddhist temple and offered prayers.

--Indo-Asian News service

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