 "Chinese President Xi to begin India visit in Gujarat")
Chinese President Xi Jinping will begin his maiden visit to India with a trip to Gujarat and may even go to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's native village as National Security Advisor Ajit Doval called on him here today and finalised the schedule of his tour.
While the two countries are yet to announce the tour programme, Chinese officials here said that Xi, who is also general-secretary of the ruling Communist Party, will begin his visit in Ahmedabad on September 17.
Doval who called on Xi made a strong case for the Chinese President to visit Vadnagar, Modi's native village.
"He mentioned to you also about the place the great Chinese philosopher Xuan Zang visited, Vadnagar, Prime Minister Modi's own village," he told Xi.
Both sides declined to reveal the details of Xi visit.
The Chinese foreign ministry has announced that Xi's visit to the subcontinent covering the Maldives, Sri Lanka and India would be between September 14-19.
Before that he would attend attend the 14th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit at Dushanbe in Tajikistan.
The Maldives has been added to his visit following the cancellation of Pakistan visit due to the political turmoil there.
His schedule to India was expected to be announced jointly in India and Beijing at a mutually agreed date, Doval told Indian media.
Indications are that Xi will arrive directly to Ahmedabad on September 17, and later go to New Delhi before flying back home on September 19.
Playing down the delay in announcing Xi's programme, Doval said, "Before the final announcement is made there may be last minute change from our side," he said adding that nothing should be announced prematurely. "It is almost on the cards. It will be announced in a day or two," he said.
Asked whether Xi would go to Modi's village he said, "Wait and watch If he has got time. Modi told him that he would like to take him to his village Vadnagar," he said referring Chinese philosopher's visit in ancient times. It all depends on logic and facilities, he said.
While the two countries are yet to announce the tour programme, Chinese officials here said that Xi, who is also general-secretary of the ruling Communist Party, will begin his visit in Ahmedabad on September 17.
Doval who called on Xi made a strong case for the Chinese President to visit Vadnagar, Modi's native village.
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"He (Modi) has developed so much respect for you and personal regard for you that he must have mentioned in his meeting with you many times to us," he said.
"He mentioned to you also about the place the great Chinese philosopher Xuan Zang visited, Vadnagar, Prime Minister Modi's own village," he told Xi.
Both sides declined to reveal the details of Xi visit.
The Chinese foreign ministry has announced that Xi's visit to the subcontinent covering the Maldives, Sri Lanka and India would be between September 14-19.
Before that he would attend attend the 14th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit at Dushanbe in Tajikistan.
The Maldives has been added to his visit following the cancellation of Pakistan visit due to the political turmoil there.
His schedule to India was expected to be announced jointly in India and Beijing at a mutually agreed date, Doval told Indian media.
Indications are that Xi will arrive directly to Ahmedabad on September 17, and later go to New Delhi before flying back home on September 19.
Playing down the delay in announcing Xi's programme, Doval said, "Before the final announcement is made there may be last minute change from our side," he said adding that nothing should be announced prematurely. "It is almost on the cards. It will be announced in a day or two," he said.
Asked whether Xi would go to Modi's village he said, "Wait and watch If he has got time. Modi told him that he would like to take him to his village Vadnagar," he said referring Chinese philosopher's visit in ancient times. It all depends on logic and facilities, he said.