By Mubashir Mushtaq

MUMBAI

Chinese President Xi Jinping starts his first official visit to India on Wednesday with the aim of boosting Chinese investments in the country. 

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan in Ahmedabad, capital of the western state of Gujarat, where Chinese investments stand close to $400 million, according to a report in English daily Times of India.

Infrastructure developments including the modernization of Indian railways and border disputes are some of the key issues likely to be discussed between Xi and Modi during the three-day visit.

China is expected to invest $100 billion in the next five years to develop India’s infrastructure. Seen by some policy analysts as a response to Japan’s commitment of $35 billion for the next five years, a report in daily Business Standard said.

Xi is keen to rebuild a ‘Southern Silk Road’, to connect the two countries through Myanmar and Bangladesh. Trade flourished in ancient times along this route as traders and caravans travelled connecting east India and China.

“As the two engines of the Asian economy, we need to become cooperation partners spearheading growth. I believe that the combination of China’s energy plus India’s wisdom will release massive potential. We need to jointly develop the BCIM (Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar) economic corridor, discuss the initiatives of the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, and lead the sustainable growth of the Asian economy,” Xi wrote in article published in Indian daily the Hindu on Wednesday.

In an interaction with Chinese media on Tuesday, Modi spoke of various ancient trade routes including the Silk Route.

“The ancient trade routes in Asia included the Silk Route, the Spice Route and many other such routes. These were the channels of vibrant trade in the region and beyond and anchor of Asia prosperity,” Modi said.

Modi coined a new terminology on Tuesday calling his meeting with the Chinese President as “Inch towards Miles,” (i.e. India-China towards MILES – Millennium of Exceptional Synergy).

The two leaders walked together at Ahmedabad’s Sabarmati riverfront – where an official dinner is planned later Wednesday.

Earlier in the day, dozens of Tibetans protested near Chinese embassy in New Delhi demanding China free Tibet. India has one of largest Tibetan communities outside Tibet.

The high-profile bilateral meeting comes days after India accused Chinese soldiers of disrupting construction of a canal in the Himalyan region of Ladakh. The Chinese soldiers reportedly intruded 500 metres into Indian territory setting up tents.

The two Asian giants share 3,500 km long border which has witnessed occasional skirmish over territorial dispute.

www.aa.com.tr/en