<div>Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping today began summit-level talks during which the two leaders are expected to discuss a host of issues, including the contentious boundary dispute and China's plans for infrastructure projects in PoK.</div><div> </div><div>Xi Jinping warmly welcomed Modi at the Shaanxi Guest House here as the two leaders shook hands for photographs.</div><div> </div><div>In his opening remarks, Modi appreciated the Chinese leader for warmly receiving him outside Beijing.</div><div> </div><div><img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/modi-china-lrg.jpg" style="width: 650px; height: 374px;">"This is an honour to 125 crore Indians whom I am representing as Prime Minister," said Modi, who was wearing a black bandhgala suit.</div><div> </div><div>Recalling his visit to Ahmedabad in September last year, President Xi Jinping said, "You received me very warmly in your hometown. I am very glad to receive you in my hometown."</div><div> </div><div>While Modi spoke in Hindi, Xi Jinping made his remarks in Chinese.</div><div> </div><div>Embarking on the three-day visit to China that will take him to Beijing and Shanghai after Xi'an, Modi had expressed confidence that his trip would deepen mutual trust, work out a roadmap for upgrading bilateral economic ties and set a "new milestone" for Asia and developing nations.</div><div> </div><div><img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/medium_modi-china-300.jpg" style="float: right; width: 180px; height: 180px;">Modi, who is undertaking his first visit to China as Prime Minister, reached the ancient city of Xi'an this morning and was accorded a grand welcome.</div><div> </div><div>Xi Jinping is meeting Modi in his hometown of Xi'an in an unusual departure from normal protocol that is being seen as a reciprocal gesture by the Chinese leader who was hosted by Modi in Ahmedabad when he visited India.</div><div> </div><div>Irritants like the boundary issue and China's plans for infrastructure projects in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) stand in the way of taking the bilateral ties forward and were likely to be discussed by the two leaders.</div><div> </div><div>Modi has met President Xi Jinping three times during the last one year and held extensive talks on a wide range of issues.</div><div> </div><div>The Prime Minister is being accompanied by National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar and other senior officials.</div><div> </div><div>(PTI)</div>
