Modi-Xi Summit: The story behind Mamallapuram's Chinese connection

Mamallapuram, also known as Mahabalipuram, is located on the East Coast Road. The name is said to be derived from the word "Mamallan", which means great warrior, a reference to King Narasimhavarman I

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping are set to meet on Friday and Saturday for the second informal summit between them after the first was held in in Wuhan, China, in April 2018. The meeting, will not be held in New Delhi, which has been the tradition, but in the coastal town of Mahabalipuram, or Mamallapuram, almost 50 kilometers south of Chennai.

The question is why PM Modi chose this town to be the venue of the meet. While many believe that by choosing Mamallapuram, PM Modi wants to send a message to other Dravidian parties in