What's the Importance of Xi's India Tour? Pushpesh Pant Explains 

Video Editor: Vishal Kumar

Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Tamil Nadu's coastal town of Mamallapuram on Friday, 11 October, for an informal summit.

This second informal summit was held amid tensions between the two countries over the Kashmir issue – India took umbrage at Chinese comments supporting Pakistan, replying curtly that Kashmir is India's internal matter.

In a chat with The Quint, international relations expert Pushpesh Pant explains the significance of Chinese President Xi Jinping's India tour, and what it signals for their future relationship.

How should Xi’s tour be interpreted?

Chinese President Xi Jinping’s India tour holds a significance in itself. The fact that Xi came to India and met Prime Minister Modi in Tamil Nadu’s coastal town of Mamallapuram for an informal summit is important.

How will abrogation of article 370 impact south Asian politics?

A clear message was sent out to China from the government that abrogation of Article 370 doesn’t impact international borders. If the meeting was hosted in north India, the focus could have gone to Kashmir. Hosting the meeting in Mahabalipuram shifted the focus away from Kashmir.

How will Indo-China economic relations change amid the global trade war?

Economic slowdown is now a global phenomenon. No global power is above it. There will be no impact on Indo-China economic relations.