Xi's seaside summit with Modi aims to reset China-India ties beyond Kashmir

Trade, especially the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, is also expected to be a focus

Ancient temples carved into massive rock faces along the ocean will form the backdrop to Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s informal talks aimed at resetting ties strained by border disputes and trade tensions.

The leaders of the world’s two most populous countries are meeting Friday and Saturday in the southern Indian coastal town of Mamallapuram, on the outskirts of Chennai. This is the second straight “informal” meeting between the leaders, after their interaction in Wuhan in April last year. There’s no set agenda, India’s foreign ministry said in a statement.

The summit comes as China navigates a