Beijing: On Wednesday, September 17, Chinese President Xi Jinping will reportedly visit Gujarat, before he lands in New Delhi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is also expected to be in Ahmedabad that day - it is his 64th birthday.
Though China has officially not announced dates for its President's India visit or his itinerary, the Gujarat government said in a statement that he would visit the state for a day on September 17 and would go to the Sabarmati Ashram of Mahatma Gandhi.
No other details were shared and there is no official word yet on the two leaders being in town or meeting that day.
Prime Minister Modi is expected to visit Gujarat to meet his 94-year-old mother Hiraba like he does every year on his birthday.
Speculation that Mr Xi could visit Gujarat also gained ground after the Chinese president cancelled the Pakistan leg of his tour that also includes a visit to Sri Lanka. There has been talk since that Mr Xi can begin his visit a day earlier.
National Security Advisor Ajit Doval arrived in Beijing today to firm up the Chinese President's visit. He will hold talks tomorrow with Chinese State Councillor Yang Jiechi and is expected to meet Mr Xi after that.
China and India are expected to discuss a package of investments as well as measures to address India's concerns of trade deficit.
China and India are in discussions to modernise the Indian railways.
China also plans to invest in industrial parks, locations for which are expected to be announced by Xi; some reports have suggested that one of them could be based in Gujarat.
The two countries signed a Border Defence Cooperation Agreement (BDCA) last year to ensure peace and tranquillity at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) pending the settlement of their border dispute.
