 "Modi to meet Xi in his hometown")
Business district or capitals are usually the venue for meeting of heads of states. But Modi’s first China tour as prime minister — he has already visited the country as Gujarat chief minister — will begin with his visit to Xi’an, the capital of Shaanxi province, a little more than 1,000 km southwest of Beijing. Xi had visited Gujarat — the prime minister’s home state — during his India tour last year. Modi will reach Xi’an on May 14 and meet Xi. The city does have an India connection — Buddhist monk and traveler Hiuen Tsang (also known as Xuanzang), who visited India in 629, reportedly lived there during the final years of his life.
After his meeting, the prime minister will set out for Beijing on the evening of May 14.
The next day, he will meet Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and sign several documents. He will also preside over the India-China provincial meeting, which chief ministers and mayors will attend. The agenda of the meeting is to ensure greater cooperation at the provincial and state level.
The prime minister will travel to Shanghai on May 16 to address bigwigs of Chinese industry and chief executive officers.
"A number of inter-government and business agreements will be signed in China," said Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar, adding all bilateral issues - such as the border concerns - will be taken up when both the leaders meet.
On the trade deficit with China, India has two answers, said Jaishankar. India has not been successful in entering Chinese markets. "Investment has an impact on trade. More investment helps trade but more trade doesn't help trade."
According to a Confederation of Indian Industry report, India has the potential to generate revenues in excess of $10 billion in four to five years, that is nearly 80 per cent of the exports of India to China in 2013, if it gains market access in China for sectors such as information technology and telecom, automobiles and auto components, tourism, media and entertainment.
Jaishankar ruled out granting electronic visa to Chinese tourists right away. But cooperation with the neighbouring country on railways is on the cards.
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On May 17, Modi will travel to Mongolia, where India will sign agreements on medical devices, solar panels and wind energy, and education. There could also be an agreement on the exchange of minerals
"We will also sign an air services agreement with Mongolia," said Sunil Wadhwa, secretary (east), Ministry of External Affairs.
He added Mongolia is rich in minerals and India will explore possibilities of mining there.
Modi is also scheduled to visit South Korea. Bilateral trade between India and South Korea is $16 billion, with 300 Korean companies working here.
India will seek greater access into the South Korean market for ship-building, pharmaceuticals and information technology.