Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived at the Chennai airport Friday afternoon and was accorded a warm welcome with performances by folk dancers and musicians.

Jinping was received by Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit at the airport.

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Jinping is in India for the second informal summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Mahabalipuram about 60 km from here.

On Xi’s arrival, Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted: “Welcome to India, President Xi Jinping!”

Welcome to India, President Xi Jinping! pic.twitter.com/1NGGKTFSCm

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 11, 2019

Prime Minister Modi, who arrived in Chennai earlier in the day, was received by Governor Banwarilal Purohit, Chief Minister K. Palaniswami, Deputy Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam and others at the airport.

“Landed in Chennai. I am happy to be in the great land of Tamil Nadu, known for its wonderful culture and hospitality. It is gladdening that Tamil Nadu will host President Xi Jinping. May this Informal Summit further strengthen ties between India and China,” Modi had tweeted.

Landed in Chennai.

I am happy to be in the great land of Tamil Nadu, known for its wonderful culture and hospitality.

It is gladdening that Tamil Nadu will host President Xi Jinping. May this Informal Summit further strengthen ties between India and China. pic.twitter.com/IvsTnoGVdW

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 11, 2019

Later in the day, the Chinese President will travel by road in his Hongqi luxury car to the Unesco world heritage site to meet Modi.

The two leaders will have guided tour of three monuments – Arjuna’s penance, Panch Rathas, and the Shore Temple.

PM Modi will also host a dinner for the Chinese President at Mahabalipuram.

While Modi will spend Friday night at Taj Fisherman’s Cove Resort and Spa beach resort near Mahabalipuram, the Chinese President will drive back to the ITC Grand Chola Hotel.

On Saturday morning, Xi will again go to Mahabalipuram by road and have discussions with Modi at the Taj Fisherman’s Cove Resort and Spa.

PM Modi will hold one-to-one and delegation-level talks with the Chinese President. Meeting between the two leaders has no specific agenda. The focus of the meeting is on improving people-to-people contacts and on how to maintain peace and tranquillity along on India-China border.

Terrorism, including training, financing and any other support to terror groups, will be one of the key issues to be discussed at the informal summit.

Ahead of the meet, China’s state media said the ‘Modi-Xi’ meeting would focus “more” on how to move beyond the past and present differences to forge a cooperative partnership.

“The belated official announcement of President Xi’s visits to the country’s two South Asian neighbours (India and Nepal), only 48 hours ahead of the informal meeting, was proof that Beijing and New Delhi cherish the opportunity to improve bilateral ties through the personal chemistry between their top leaders,” an editorial in the state-run China Daily on Thursday stated.

Ahead of his India visit, Jinping had on Wednesday said that he was “watching” the situation in Kashmir and would support Pakistan in issues related to its core interests.

Reacting to the remarks, India reiterated its stance that other countries must stay away from commenting on the “internal matters” of the country.

India asserted that “it is not for other countries to comment on the internal affairs of India”.

“India’s position has been consistent and clear that Jammu & Kashmir is an integral part of India. China is well aware of our position. It is not for other countries to comment on the internal affairs of India,” Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar had said.

Ties between the two countries had strained when India scrapped Jammu and Kashmir’s autonomy and bifurcated the state into two Union territories of Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh, which will come into being on October 31.