PM Modi receives warm welcome on arrival at Tianjin Airport

PM Modi was accorded a warm welcome by the Indian diaspora in Tianjin on Saturday
The Prime Minister landed in Tianjin for a two-day visit to attend the SCO Summit in China. This being PM Modi’s first visit to China in seven years he was greeted by Indian diaspora supporters and enjoyed a performance by Chinese artists skilled in Indian classical music and dance.

Members enthusiastically greeted him and chanted “Bharat Mata ki Jai” and “Vande Mataram” to express admiration and support.
Later on, PM Modi enjoyed a performance by Chinese artists playing Indian classical musical instruments like sitar, santoor and tabla at the hotel. The performers have been learning Indian classical music and dance for years.

Zhang Jinghu, a member of the dance group said,” he has learnt Odissi from his childhood days and later also learnt it from an Indian guru..he likes it and had learnt it for six years and also became a performer as well as a teacher. His classical dance is like an ocean. If you want to learn it, you have to take it deep, you have to learn many stories..He introduced these things to China’s students and they love it. They want to learn it for long and deep…It is an honour to perform in front of him (PM Modi). This is the first time he will see him. It is so exciting. This is a very good chance.

PM Modi attended the SCO Summit on Sunday, August 31, and held bilateral talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines. He also meet Russian President Vladimir Putin amidst the summit.
The SCO comprises 10 members – India, Belarus, China, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.

The summit is significant for India, as it comes after the United States’ 50 per cent tariffs took effect. Of these, a 25 per cent tariff was imposed on New Delhi for buying Russian oil.

India and China have taken several steps to smoothen the creases in the relations. Both sides have agreed to resume direct flights, resume trade through Lipulekh Pass in Uttarakhand, Shipki La Pass in Himachal Pradesh, and Nathu La Pass in Sikkim, facilitate visas to tourists, businesses, media and other visitors in both directions.
 

News Edit KV Raman