External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar described the engagement between Modi and Xi on the first day of the Informal summit as ‘highly productive’.

MAMALLAPURAM: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping held a two-and-a-half hour “pleasant conversation” over dinner on Friday, resolving to further energise bilateral development partnership and insulating the overall ties from differences over contentious issues.

The meeting at the magnificent Shore temple complex under a sea-facing colourful tent in this coastal town continued much beyond the schedule time as both leaders, helped by two interpreters, touched upon a range of issues, including complex ones, over sumptuous local Tamil delicacies, sources said.

External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar described the engagement between Modi and Xi on the first day of the Informal summit as “highly productive”.

“Concluding a highly productive day with a pleasant conversation over a long dinner. PM @narendramodi & Chinese President Xi continued their exchange of views on deepening of the India-China partnership over a breathtaking Kalakshetra cultural performance followed by dinner,” Kumar tweeted.

There was no official confirmation whether Modi and Xi discussed the Kashmir issue which somehow strained ties between the two countries and even overshadowed Xi’s trip to this coastal town.

It is widely speculated that the issue found mention in the conversation between the two leaders over dinner.

In a tweet following the dinner, Modi said he was delighted to spend time with Xi.

“Mamallapuram is one of the most beautiful places in India, full of vibrancy. It is linked to commerce, spirituality and is now a popular tourism centre. I am delighted that President Xi Jinping and I are spending time in this scenic place, which is also a @UNESCO heritage site,” he said.

The sources said both Xi and Modi resolved to further energise bilateral development partnership and insulating the overall ties from differences over contentious issues.

In the late afternoon, Modi and Xi sipped coconut water and engaged in casual interaction in a serene setting in the backdrop of 7th century rock-cut chariots of Pancha Ratha overlooking the Bay of Bengal.

Modi, dressed in a Tamil attire of ‘Veshti’ (dhoti), white shirt and an ‘angavastram’ (shawl), took Xi for a guided tour of the famous world heritage sites of Arjuna’s Penance, Krishna’s Butterball, the Pancha Ratha and Shore temple in this ancient temple town, kicking off the second informal summit between the two leaders.

“The free-flowing nature of the informal summit at the UNESCO world heritage site will continue and deepen contacts at the highest level and guide the future trajectory of India-China relationship,” the MEA Spokesperson tweeted.

Xi’s visit to India comes two days after he held talks with Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan in Beijing.

After the talks, a joint statement said China is paying “close attention” to the situation in Kashmir and that the issue should be properly and peacefully resolved based on the UN Charter.

The comments evoked sharp reaction from New Delhi.

Shortly after Xi’s aircraft touched down in Chennai, government sources said the two leaders are expected to issue some directions at the end of the summit on Saturday as they did after the first edition of new format of engagement in Chinese city of Wuhan last year.

Officials on both sides said the focus of the Modi-Xi summit would be to move forward and chart a new pathway of development notwithstanding sharp differences between the two countries over several contentious issues.

In the footage beamed by public broadcaster Doordarshan of the two leaders visiting the magnificent monuments, Modi was seen warmly explaining to the Chinese leader the historical significance of the monuments with the dazzling setting sun casting a soft glow over the iconic site.

Xi, wearing a white shirt and black trouser, was seen showing keen interest in the famous caves and stone sculptures in the heritage site in this coastal town which had historical links with China’s Fujian province.

Modi and Xi, assisted by one translator from each side, sat down for around 15 minutes at Pancha Ratha complex, an example of monolithic Indian rock-cut architecture, and engaged in casual talks while sipping fresh coconut water – images reflecting warmth in personal chemistry between the two leaders of two emerging economies.

From Pancha Ratha, the two leaders visited the beautifully lit-up Shore temple – a symbol of cultural heritage of the Pallava dynasty.

After spending some time together, Modi and Xi were joined by top delegates of both sides and all them witnessed a cultural programme presented by Kalakshetra society.

After the event, Modi hosted Xi for the private dinner at the Shore temple complex which was beautifully decorated with lights and flowers.

Eight delegates from each side were also invited for the dinner and they sat in tables little away from Xi and Modi’s.

Delicately selected authentic Tamil cuisines including vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes were served.

At the site of Krishna’s butterball, a gigantic granite boulder sitting firmly on the slope of a hillock, Modi held Xi’s hands, reflecting warmth in their personal chemistry.

“Standing together and tall!,” said Kumar in a Twitter post.

Earlier, Xi arrived in Chennai to a red carpet welcome for his second informal summit with Modi amid a realisation a lot is riding on the bilateral ties strained over the hardline approach on the Kashmir issue by both sides.

Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit, Chief Minister E K Palaniswami, Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam and Indian Ambassador to China Vikram Misri welcomed the Chinese leader at the Chennai airport on his nearly 24-hour visit.

“Welcome to India, President Xi Jinping!” Modi tweeted, shortly after the Chinese leader arrived on an Air China Boeing 747 aircraft, accompanied by a 90-member delegation including Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Polit Bureau member of Central Committee of Chinese Communist Party Ding Xuexiang and State Councilor Yang Jiechi.

A brief cultural ceremony reflecting Tamil Nadu’s cultural heritage was organised at the airport to welcome the visiting leader.

“President Xi Jinping arrived in Chennai to a warm and colourful welcome for the 2nd Informal Summit with PM

Taking off from the #WuhanSpirit, the #ChennaiSpirit will continue to chart the future course of India-China partnership,” the MEA Spokesperson tweeted after Xi’s arrival.

The two leaders will have around six-hours of one-on-one free-wheeling talks, officials said.

On Saturday morning, Modi and Xi will have a comprehensive one-on-one meeting to be followed by delegation level talks.

Both sides will, then, issue separate statements on outcome of the summit.

“Both sides know that a lot is riding on the relationship and this is reflected in the summit being held on schedule despite speculations of its postponement in recent weeks,” said a senior official on condition of anonymity.

Ahead of the two-day summit, Chinese Ambassador to India Sun Weidong on Thursday told PTI that a “new set of consensus” including “guiding principles” on giving a new direction to the bilateral ties are expected from engagement.

Officials on both sides said the focus of the Modi-Xi summit would be to insulate the bilateral trade and development cooperation from differences on Kashmir and vexed boundary issue.

They said ways to bolster counter-terror cooperation, trade and enhancing cooperation between militaries of the two countries along the 3,500 KM border will be key focus of the talks.

This is the second edition of the informal summit between Modi and Xi.

The first informal between the two leaders was held in picturesque Chinese lake city of Wuhan in April 2018, months after a 73-day face off between the armies of the two countries in Doklam tri-juction raised fears of a war between the two Asian giants.

Strategic affairs expert Ambassador Ashok Kantha said the focus of the summit on Friday and Saturday would be to move beyond contentious issues and not allow the Kashmir issue to adversely impact overall ties.

Mamallapuram, a town with strong trade linkages with China’s Fujian province, has been spruced up and brought under un unprecedented security cover – in the process inconveniencing local people as well as tourists.

Xi walked past the priests waiting for the rituals at the airport. This created a rumour that he refused to accept the honour.

CHENNAI: The state government on Friday brought five priests including the chief priest from Sri Kapaleeswarar temple in Mylapore to honour the visiting Chinese President Xi Jinping with ‘Poornakumbham’ – a traditional reception given to dignitaries. 

The priests had been waiting for their moment at the airport. Exactly at 2.15 pm, Jinping stepped out of his flight and walked on the red carpet while witnessing the performance of folk artistes after meeting the governor, chief minister and others.

After a few minutes, he came near the priests waiting for the ‘Poornakumbham’ and just walked away. This had created a rumour that the Chinese President refused to accept the honour as normally, any dignitary would acknowledge the honour and stand till the priests complete the rituals. 

But the video shows that Xi just walked past the priests without making any gestures to indicate that he wanted to refuse the ‘Poornakumbham’. 

Those who witnessed this blamed the officials for failing to inform the President about the cultural importance of ‘Poornakumbham’.

When Sonia Gandhi was persuaded to take charge of the Congress once again earlier this year, it was expected that her return would bring about a semblance of order in the party.

When Sonia Gandhi was persuaded to take charge of the Congress once again earlier this year, it was expected that her return would bring about a semblance of order in the party, which had been thrown into turmoil after its debacle in the Lok Sabha elections, and Rahul Gandhi’s decision to relinquish the presidency.

To be fair, there were no grand expectations from Sonia Gandhi’s second stint, as there was all-round agreement that it would not be possible for her to transform the crisis-ridden Congress overnight into a dynamic and robust organisation.

However, it was believed that the respect Sonia Gandhi commands from the party cadre would, at least, help end the ongoing internal bickering which has been the bane of the Congress. But two months after she took over, the Congress continues to hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons, as the angry, frustrated voices within refuse to be silenced, while desertions from the party ranks have become a routine affair.  

The latest to speak up is former external affairs minister Salman Khursheed, who publicly bemoaned that Rahul Gandhi had walked away from the party even before it could introspect the reasons for its crushing electoral defeat. His former cabinet colleague Jyotiraditya Scindia endorsed the view that the Congress needs to analyse why it fared so poorly in the last general election.

Earlier, Ashok Tanwar, who was handpicked by Rahul Gandhi to head the party’s Haryana unit, quit the Congress as he was upset when he was replaced by senior leader Selja. Another Rahul Gandhi appointee, Sanjay Nirupam, former head of the Mumbai Regional Congress Committee, is on the warpath because the candidates suggested by him for the October 21 Maharashtra assembly polls, were not accommodated.

Former Lok Sabha MP Milind Deora, known for his proximity to Rahul Gandhi, has been cosying up to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Others like Uttar Pradesh MLA Aditi Singh, Navjot Singh Sidhu and Pradyot Debbarman from Tripura, who have also rebelled, have all been associated with the former Congress president. They are complaining that there is nobody to speak up for them as the party’s old guard is marginalising those close to Rahul Gandhi. 

This ongoing churn in the Congress is being widely seen as a continuation of the never-ending turf war between the party’s old guard or Sonia Gandhi loyalists, and the younger leaders who are better known as members of Team Rahul. This tussle between the two goes back to the years even before Rahul Gandhi took over as Congress president. Afraid that they would be sidelined once Rahul assumed charge of the party, Sonia Gandhi’s supporters blocked the Nehru-Gandhi scion at every stage.

On his part, Rahul did not endear himself to the senior leaders as he suspected them of failing the party and using it for their personal ends. In his attempts to build his own team, Rahul relied heavily on younger leaders and lateral entrants to the party like Sanjay Nirupam, Madhusudan Mistry and Raj Babbar, while his advisers comprised non-political players. Rahul Gandhi did make amends when he accommodated senior leaders in the party organization after taking over as party chief. But he was prevented from consolidating his position when the Congress suffered a humiliating electoral defeat.   

However, the current crisis in the Congress is much more than a battle between two generations. There is no doubt that younger leaders owing allegiance to Rahul Gandhi first felt let-down when he decided to step down as party chief, and are now upset that he has turned his back on them. If GenNext leaders are justifiably unhappy over the turn of events, many older leaders are equally frustrated.

Salman Khursheed’s latest statement is a case in point.

The former minister has chosen to publicly express his anguish over the state of affairs in the party, but he is also speaking for many others who have chosen to remain silent though they are equally perturbed because they find themselves staring at a bleak political future.

This is symptomatic of the deeper malaise afflicting the Congress, which goes beyond making routine changes in the appointment of party personnel.

“We need to identify an issue and launch a movement like the BJP did after Balakot,” remarked a senior Congress leader. 

However, there is one view that both Sonia and Rahul Gandhi are deliberately turning a blind eye to this drift in the Congress, to eventually discredit the section of the old guard which currently controls the party.

This, it is said, will make it easier for Rahul Gandhi to return as Congress president. But it would be foolish to underestimate the seniors, who are masters of backroom politicking and have been constantly outsmarting their younger leaders who lack both mass connect and political skills.

In the meantime, Congress remains trapped between Sonia Gandhi’s ineffectiveness and Rahul Gandhi’s indifference.

A BJP legislator from Surat-West had alleged the Congress leader had defamed the entire Modi community with his remark, made during the Lok Sabha campaign this year.

SURAT: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday appeared before a magisterial court and pleaded not guilty in a criminal defamation case filed against him for his “why do all thieves share the Modi surname” remarks.

Gandhi appeared before the court of Chief Judicial Magistrate B H Kapadia here and pleaded not guilty when asked by the court whether he accepts the charges, levelled against him by BJP legislator from Surat-West, Purnesh Modi.

After Gandhi’s plea was recorded, his lawyers moved an application seeking a permanent exemption from personal appearance in the next hearings.

After Modi’s lawyers raised an objection to the exemption plea, the court said it will decide on the plea on December 10.

The court said Gandhi is not required to remain present during the next hearing on that date.

During the last hearing in July, the court had granted Gandhi exemption from personal appearance for that hearing and fixed October 10 as the next date of hearing.

In his complaint, the BJP legislator had alleged the Congress leader had defamed the entire Modi community with his remarks, made during the Lok Sabha campaign this year.

The court, while admitting the suit, had held that there was a prima facie case of criminal defamation against the Lok Sabha member from Wayanad.

At a campaign rally at Kolar in Karnataka on April 13, Gandhi had said, “Nirav Modi, Lalit Modi, Narendra Modi. How come they all have Modi as common surname? How come all thieves have Modi as common surname?” In his complaint, Purnesh Modi had said the Congress leader had defamed the entire Modi community with his statement.

Gujarat Congress president Amit Chavda on Tuesday held a meeting with local party leaders in view of Gandhi’s visit.

Gandhi has on the other hand faced flak for going abroad ahead of assembly elections in Haryana and Maharashtra, which will be held on October 21.

The BJP has targeted Gandhi specifically over his foreign visits.

The Congress did not disclose where Gandhi had gone, but defended his visits saying there is a difference between public and private life and private life needs to be respected in politics.

The former Congress chief also faced criticisms within the party, as senior leader and former Foreign Minister Salman Khurshid on Wednesday said there is nothing wrong in his comment that the biggest problem was that Rahul Gandhi walked away after party’s debacle in the general elections even as the party advised its leaders to refrain from making such statements ahead of assembly elections.

The comments come at a time when the party is facing an existential crisis, made worse by infighting in state units.

Elaborating his comments, Khurshid said he is pained by the state of the party at present and there is an immediate need to put the things in order.           

“The party could have fared better in assembly elections if he (Rahul) would have stayed. I have very deep pain and concern about where we are today as a party. We won’t leave the party no matter what happens, we aren’t like those who got everything from the party and when things were difficult they left the party and walked away,” Khurshid said.

Emphasising that Sonia Gandhi should continue as full-time party chief, Khurshid said: “We have very less time and the party should take some immediate steps. The reason for some delay in those steps was because our leader Rahul Gandhi has left us. By this, I mean that he was our president and we wanted him to be on that seat for long.”

The Congress party asked its leaders to avoid making such comments and rather should put their act together to expose BJP’s failure on various issues.

“The party is working united to take on the BJP in Haryana and Maharashtra and leaders should avoid making such comments,” said party spokesperson Pawan Khera.

Another senior Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia too called for urgent introspection within the party.

“I don’t comment on statements made by others, but it is true that the Congress is in dire need of introspection. The party’s situation should be assessed and improved, that’s the need of the hour,” Scindia told media.

BJP also targeted Rahul over Khurshid’s comment, saying even the Congress leaders do not know where the Gandhi scion is at present.

The voice samples of both Chinmayanand and the LLM student, 23, will be used to corroborate the audio-visual evidence in the case.

LUCKNOW: Two separate teams of  Shahjahanpur police brought former Union minister and rape accused Chinmayanand and the accuser LLM student to Lucknow for taking their voice samples at the Forensic Science Laboratory here on Wednesday.

The voice samples of both Chinmayanand and the LLM student, 23, will be used to corroborate the audio-visual evidence in the case.

Notably, the LLM student is also in jail on judicial remand on charges of a bid of extortion of Rs 5 crore and blackmailing Chinmayanand.

Several video clips were released from both parties on social media to substantiate their respective charges against each other.

Moreover, three friends of the alleged rape victim are also in jail in connection with the extortion case. Their voice samples will also be tested.

According to Shahjahanpur SP Dinesh Tripathi, the voice notes were taken in compliance with the court orders. 

The comments come at a time when the party is facing an existential crisis, made worse by infighting in state units.

NEW DELHI: Senior Congress leader Salman Khurshid on Wednesday said there is nothing wrong in his comment that the biggest problem was that Rahul Gandhi walked away after party’s debacle in the general elections even as the party advised its leaders to refrain from making such statements ahead of assembly elections.

The comments come at a time when the party is facing an existential crisis, made worse by infighting in state units.

Elaborating his comments, Khurshid said he is pained by the state of party at present and there is immediate need to put the things in order.           

“The party could have fared better in assembly elections if he (Rahul) would have stayed. I have very deep pain and concern about where we are today as a party. We won’t leave the party no matter what happens, we aren’t like those who got everything from the party and when things were difficult they left the party and walked away,” Khurshid said.

Emphasising that Sonia Gandhi should continue as full-time party chief, Khurshid said: “We have very less time and the party should take some immediate steps. The reason for some delay in those steps was because our leader Rahul Gandhi has left us. By this I mean that he was our president and we wanted him to be on that seat for long.”

The Congress party asked its leaders to avoid making such comments and rather should put their act together to expose BJP’s failure on various issues.

“The party is working united to take on the BJP in Haryana and Maharashtra and leaders should avoid making such comments,” said party spokesperson Pawan Khera.

BJP targeted Rahul over Khurshid’s comment, saying even the Congress leaders do not know where the Gandhi scion is at present