Xi to attend BRICS summit in India, visit Bangladesh

Chinese President Xi Jinping will visit Cambodia and Bangladesh and attend the eighth BRICS summit in India from October 13 to 17, it was announced here on Monday.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said Xi was invited by Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni and Bangladesh President Abdul Hamid to pay state visits to the two countries.

Xi will then attend the BRICS summit, to be held in Goa, at the invitation of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Lu said.

In Cambodia, the Chinese President will meet King Sihamoni and call on the Queen mother, former Queen Norodom Monineath.

He will also hold talks with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen during which cooperative agreements are expected to be signed.

Xi's visit to Bangladesh will be a "milestone", Lu said, noting that both sides would conclude agreements to improve bilateral relations.

During the visit, Xi will meet Bangladesh President Abdul Hamid, National Assembly Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chowdhury, and hold talks with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

At the BRICS summit, leaders of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa will exchange in-depth views on BRICS cooperation and other global and regional issues, Vice Foreign Minister Li Baodong said.

The BRICS leaders will also hold a dialogue meeting with leaders of some countries in the region and meet business leaders.

The BRICS grouping comprises Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.

--IANS

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