Beijing

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Madison Square-style event in Shanghai during his upcoming visit to China has generated a “terrific response” from Indian professionals and students based in various cities in the Communist nation.

Modi plans to give a speech in Shanghai similar to the one at New York’s Madison Square Garden last year on his US visit.

This will be the first time an Indian leader has attempted such an event in China which until recently had very few Indians.

From across China there has been a “terrific response” for the prime minister’s event being organised by the Indian community on May 16, a social media message by the Indian Association of Shanghai said, ahead of the last day for registration tomorrow.

“This will be the biggest Indian get-together ever to happen in China,” the association notice’s said.

With burgeoning trade links following gradual improvement in relations, the number of Indians in different Chinese cities is now estimated to be around 45,000 which includes over 13,000 students while the rest comprises businesspersons and professionals working for local and multinational firms.

Indian associations from various cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen and Guangdong with large concentration of Indians, have sent notices a fortnight ago asking people to register for Modi’s event.

About 4,000 people are expected to attend the event.

Modi will be arriving on a three-day visit to China on May 14, his first after taking over as prime minister.

As per the programme being worked out, he would begin his trip with a visit to the ancient city of Xian, the hometown of President Xi Jinping who will host Modi with informal get- togethers showcasing Chinese hospitality, culture and Buddhism.

Xi plans to reciprocate Modi’s hometown diplomacy in Ahmedabad when the Chinese leader visited India in September.

The scene will shift to Beijing the next day with Modi scheduled to have talks with Xi and Premier Li Keqiang.

Modi is also expected to address Chinese students at Tsinghua University here besides taking part in a colourful Yoga and Chinese martial art Tai Chi along with Li.

Besides the Indian community, Modi will also address a ‘Make in India’ business meet to woo Chinese investors.

His visit is expected to firm up several agreements and announcements. Expectations are also high here that he may extend an e-visa facility to Chinese nationals to attract larger numbers of tourists from China.

Several countries have wooed Chinese tourists as about 100 million of them travelled abroad last year, spending billions of dollars.

India this year is organising a ‘Visit India Year’ to attract Chinese tourists 1.70 lakh of whom visited India last year while over 5 lakh Indians visited China.

Chinese officials have proposed initiatives like Buddhist circuit as well as group tours linked to Sri Lanka and the Maldives to attract more Chinese tourists to India.

Over 1 lakh Chinese tourists visited the Maldives followed by 1.30 lakh to Sri Lanka last year.

PTI