Ahmedabad, 17 September 2014

It was amazing, unparalleled and path breaking soft diplomatic event, and it happened at the Sabarmati river front. Precisely at riverfront park on the bank of river Sabarmati.

Modi left Gandhi ashram earlier to receive Chinese president at Riverfront park located just across the river. He welcomed Chinese president and his wife and took them to walk showcasing the cultural performances of Gujarat. Cultural performances included Ger dance of Kwant, Maher bravery dance of Porbandar, Dangi tribal dance, Tarnetar’s garba dance, Mandvi dance. Chinese president’s wife especially enjoyed watching Mandvi dance and Dangi dance. One of members of Ger dance group tied wrist belt to Chinese president.Chinese president was also seen holding umbrella of Tarnetar dance troupe. Chinese president and his wife enjoyed brief seating on traditional Sankheda swing. They also had brief seating over chakla bed from Kutch. Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally guided Chinese president throughout the walk. When they sat at amphitheater to see Mandvi dance, Chinese president’s wife was especially seen enjoying the folk music performance. It should be noted that Chinese president’s wife is herself a popular folk singer in China. Chinese president inquired about lions when he saw statues of a lion during his walk. After around half an hour walk, Chinese president was escorted to his tent set up in riverfront park. Shri Modi went to his tent.

It is worth mentioning that Shri Modi has stayed in such royal tents during his visits to Rann Utsav in Kutch every year. These tents come from Rajathan, and they match with royal living of medieval rulers of India. However there are all modern amenities nowadays in such tents.

After some rest in their tents, both leaders along with selected members from both sides had a dinner in specially set up tent for dinner. These tents are water proof and they have been set up as monsoon is still alive in Gujarat.

After the dinner, Modi and Jinping standing next to river-front’s upper portion wall spoke in detail before leaving the venue. Even Jinping’s wife was standing at some distance to leave both leaders just with translators at help. This talk went on too long, and not cultural but serious bilateral issues were in discussion – the body language suggested.

While pre-dinner event was full of cultural music and dances, the dinner event witnessed peace and wonderfully designed lighting on riverfront. After the dinner, cultural performances resumed. Chief Minister Anandiben Patel today announced that the lighting and decor of riverfront will be continued till Diwali festival.

More on dinner event:

The Chinese President Mr. Xi Jinping and his wife today had choicest ethnic Gujarati cuisine, including the famous Thepla-Dhokla in dinner with Indian Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi at the Sabarmati Riverfront Park here this late evening.

The Chinese Head and the First Lady were visibly impressed by the Gujarati delicacies and a variety entertainment programme by folk dancers from across the state to the tune of folk songs, she herself was humming the Hindi film Awara number, ‘Awara Hoon…’.

The event was attended by guests and invitees.