Buddhism provides rich backdrop for key Modi-Xi summit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will kick off his key China visit tomorrow from Xian, the ancient city steeped in Chinese and Buddhist culture, offering a perfect backdrop for talks between him and Chinese President Xi Jinping on issues that define future of bilateral ties.
Modi would begin his day tomorrow on a relaxed note with a visit to the famous Terracotta Warriors museum which has a large collection of terracotta sculptures depicting the armies of Qin Shi Huang, the first Emperor of China.
He would later visit the famous Buddhist Dashang temple in Shaanxi province, the home province of President Xi, who has restored its old glory by making it the headquarters of his mega Silk Road projects.

Xi will join Modi in the afternoon after which the two would spend nearly about five hours with restricted as well as informal talks to build on their rapport discussing the most contentious issues like border dispute and China's big push to rope in reluctant India into the Silk Road projects, specially the maritime silk road (MSR) over which India has strong reservations.
In Xi'an, Modi will be hosted by Xi, departing from normal protocol to reciprocate gesture by Modi in Ahmedabad when the Chinese leader visited India in September last year.
Xi would accompany him to the famous Wild Goose Pagoda, the magnificent structure built in sixth century to commemorate the visit of a spiritual structure build to highlight famous Chinese Buddhist monk Xuan Zang's 17-year- long journey.

Modi would also be accorded traditional Tang dynasty welcome followed by a banquet by Xi.
The two countries are set to announce a multi-million joint film production to reconstruct Xuan's epic journey.
Officials say how Modi-Xi talks go will reflect the next day when Modi will have structured talks with his Chinese counterpart Li Keqiang in Beijing on May 15 during which the two sides were set to sign some key agreements.