Modi-Xi meet live: After cultural events conclude, PM hosts dinner for Chinese President

The meeting in Mahabalipuram, which has a historical connect with China, is the second informal meeting between the two leaders in the last two years.

ANI Photo

Chinese President Xi Jinping is in India for his second informal summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Mahabalipuram town of Tamil Nadu. Xi is being accompanied by 100-member strong delegation, including Foreign Minister Wang Yi and State Councillor Yang Jiechi.

PM Modi is accompanied by National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. 

Modi and Xi will spend around six hours together, including for sightseeing and a dinner being hosted by Modi on Friday night before holding bilateral talks on Saturday. The talks between the two leaders will be held at the Taj Fisherman's Cove Resort and Spa on Friday evening and Saturday.

Wang Yi and Yang Jiechi will hold separate talks with their Indian counterparts -- External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.

Since it is an informal summit, no MoU will be signed betwee the two leaders. However, the meeting is expected to provide an opportunity to the two leaders to continue their discussions on overarching issues of bilateral, regional and global importance and to exchange views on deepening India-China Closer Development Partnership, said MEA.

Here are the Live updates:

12 October 2019

10:27 IST

The one-on-one talk between PM Modi and Xi Jinping will continue for 50 minutes, which will be followed by a delegation-level talk. 

22:57 IST

PM Narendra Modi gifts Chinese President Jinping Annam lamp and Thanjavur painting 

21:24 IST

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping’s dinner began at approximately 7 pm today in Mahabalipuram and their conversation is still continuing after two hours, news agency ANI reported quoting sources.

Sources: Prime Minister Narendra Modi & Chinese President Xi Jinping’s dinner began at approximately 19:00 hrs today in Mahabalipuram and their conversation is still continuing after two hours. #TamilNadu pic.twitter.com/L1TQT9JAt4

— ANI (@ANI) October 11, 2019

19:24 IST

PM Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping enjoy thrilling cultural performance at centuries-old Shore Temple with Bay of Bengal in backdrop. The programme showcased Indian classical dance forms of Kathakali and Bharatnatyam to fast-paced Carnatic music, highlighting the region's magnificent roots.

19:18 IST

Modi, Jinping during cultural program at Shore temple in Mahabalipuram. Watch: 

India says Swagatam to President Xi Jinping! pic.twitter.com/DhkA14nYow

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) October 11, 2019

18:15 IST

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval meet Chinese President Xi Jinping at Shore Temple in Mahabalipuram.

Tamil Nadu: External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar and National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval meet Chinese President Xi Jinping, at Shore Temple in Mahabalipuram. pic.twitter.com/NfbjkM92hc

— ANI (@ANI) October 11, 2019

18:15 IST

Modi and Jinping will enjoy the dance programme by students of Kalakshetra Foundation near the Shore Temple.

17:54 IST

PM Modi, Xi Jinping arrive at Shore temple in Mahabalipuram

Tamil Nadu: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Shore Temple in Mahabalipuram. pic.twitter.com/uEh2oxEuNk

— ANI (@ANI) October 11, 2019

17:52 IST

PM Modi and Xi Jingping are expected to spend three hours together on Friday and overall six hours in 24 hours visit of the Chinese President.

17:51 IST

PM Modi and Xi Jinping visit Panch Rathas in Mahabalipuram.

Tamil Nadu: Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Chinese President Xi Jinping at Panch Rathas in Mahabalipuram. pic.twitter.com/YcvHLcSS16

— ANI (@ANI) October 11, 2019

17:51 IST

#WATCH The group of Monuments in Mahabalipuram, a UNESCO World Heritage site. This group of sanctuaries, founded by the Pallava kings, was carved out of rock along the Coromandel coast in the 7th and 8th centuries. #TamilNadu pic.twitter.com/hFCFnzMDcL

— ANI (@ANI) October 11, 2019

17:28 IST

PM Modi and Xi Jinping are taking a stroll through the ancient Cave Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Mamallapuram. 

PM @narendramodi and President #XiJinping take a stroll through the ancient Cave Temple, a @UNESCO world Heritage site in #Mamallapuram#ModiXiSummit #ModixijinpingMeet pic.twitter.com/jelmWFBvmM

— PIB India (@PIB_India) October 11, 2019

17:09 IST

PM Modi welcomes Chinese President Xi Jinping in Mahabalipuram. Watch:

#WATCH Prime Minister Narendra Modi receives Chinese President Xi Jinping at Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu pic.twitter.com/WHxpisnwLX

— ANI (@ANI) October 11, 2019

17:08 IST

Chinese President Xi Jinping is accompanied by a 100-member strong delegation, including Foreign Minister Wang Yi and State Councillor Yang Jiechi, for the two-day informal talks with PM Modi in Mahabalipuram.

16:56 IST

Chennai MRTS trains stopped briefly as Xi Jinping's convoy passes through.

16:55 IST

Tamil Nadu: PM Narendra Modi on his way to Mahabalipuram. Both PM Modi and Chinese President Jinping will hold second informal summit in Mahabalipuram shortly.

Tamil Nadu: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his way to Mahabalipuram. PM Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping will hold second informal summit in Mahabalipuram. pic.twitter.com/HIlFs6Fe6E

— ANI (@ANI) October 11, 2019

14:16 IST

Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit receives Chinese President Xi Jinping. The second informal summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi will begin in Mahabalipuram today.

14:05 IST

As per sources, the duration of engagement between PM Modi and Chinese President Xi will be 6 hours. 

Sources: Duration of engagement between Prime Minister Modi and President Xi will be 6 hours. One on one meeting will be for almost 40 minutes. Both sides to issue press statements. Local Tamil cuisine will be served to President Xi at dinner today. https://t.co/ZKgLzFJF6u

— ANI (@ANI) October 11, 2019

14:03 IST

Grand cultural welome for Xi at Chennai airport. Folk dancers also present. 

14:01 IST

Chennai airport is decked up for Chinese president Xi Jinping's arrival. 

13:54 IST

Xi Jinping will will head to Mamallapuram, almost 50 km away from Chennai, to participate in the informal summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. 

13:44 IST

vAs per IANS, Tamil Nadu Governor Purohit, CM Palaniswami will also be present when Modi receives Xi at Chennai airport.

13:40 IST

PM Modi to receive Chinese President Xi Jinping at Arjuna's Penance 

13:39 IST

Chinese President Xi Jinping arrives in Chennai. 

13:31 IST

Less than an hour before the Chinese President's arrival, school children, members of Chinese community and others gather around ITC Grand Chola Hotel in Chennai. 

Tamil Nadu: Members of Chinese community, school children and other people gather outside ITC Grand Chola Hotel, in Chennai, where Chinese President Xi Jinping will arrive later today. pic.twitter.com/qvxvSLcBc2

— ANI (@ANI) October 11, 2019

13:22 IST

13:21 IST

Five suspected Tibetans were arrested by the police for allegedly trying to protest near ITC Grand Chola, where Chinese President Xi Jinping is slated to stay during his two-day visit.

#WATCH Chennai: Police detained Tibetan activists who were protesting outside the ITC Grand Chola Hotel where Chinese President Xi Jinping will arrive later today. #TamilNadu pic.twitter.com/fgJkQyX0gs

— ANI (@ANI) October 11, 2019

13:21 IST

PM Modi leaves for Fisherman's Cove where he will be staying. Fisherman's Cove is en route to Mamallapuram from Tiruvidanthai. Modi will travel by road to Mamallapuram from there.

13:21 IST

Chopper carrying PM Modi landed at Tiruvidanthai helipad, that was set up during the Defence Expo last year.

13:19 IST

PM Modi tweets in Tamil, Mandarin and Chinese, says he is happy to be in Tamil Nadu.

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________ _______ ___________________ _____ _____ ________ ________ _______________ ______________ ____ _________ _________. pic.twitter.com/NxVUDlU86Y

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 11, 2019

___ ______ __ __________ _____ ____ __________ _________ __________. _______ -____ ________ ____ ____ ________ _____ __________ _____ ______ ______________. pic.twitter.com/d3nrL0kipn

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 11, 2019

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___________________,______________________

______________,__________________________ pic.twitter.com/cS7t6jO3xJ

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 11, 2019

13:18 IST

Prime Minister Narendra Modi lands at the Chennai airport. He was received by Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit and Chief Minister Edappadi Palaniswami at the airport. 

Landed in Chennai.

I am happy to be in the great land of Tamil Nadu, known for its wonderful culture and hospitality.

It is gladdening that Tamil Nadu will host President Xi Jinping. May this Informal Summit further strengthen ties between India and China. pic.twitter.com/IvsTnoGVdW

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 11, 2019

13:18 IST

Indian Coast Guard ships were also deployed in the waters near the Shore Temple -- the second century-old granite architecture built by the Pallava kings to provide security from any seaborne threat. 

13:16 IST

The historic coastal town of Mamallapuram will provide the setting for the meeting between Modi and Xi.

13:16 IST

Flags of India and China have been put up around the area to mark the summit. The airport has also been decked up traditionally with banana leaves, flower garlands, and fruits.

13:16 IST

The historic coastal town of Mamallapuram will provide the setting for the meeting between Modi and Xi.

13:14 IST

Modi and Xi will have one-on-one, as well as delegation-level talks to strengthen bilateral ties.

13:14 IST

The two leaders had their first inaugural informal summit in China's Wuhan on April 27 and 28 last year.