New era in Indo-China cooperation: Modi

Mamallapuram: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping met on Saturday after their free-wheeling discussions on Friday in Mamallapuram.

Recalibration of bilateral ties, combating terrorism were some of the issues discussed in the "open and cordial" talks that went on for around two-and-half hours.

The Prime Minister started off his remarks at the meeting in Tamil, welcoming China to the talks, which were held right after one-on-one discussions between Modi and Xi at the Taj Fisherman's Cove Hotel.

"Tamil Nadu and the historic city of Chennai have connected India and China through cultural and trade exchanges since ages," he said, highlighting the age-old ties between the two nations.

The Indian delegation at the talks included National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, external affairs minister S Jaishankar and foreign secretary Vijay Gokhale among other high-level officials.

"Last year's Wuhan Summit was successful in bringing increased stability and fresh momentum to bilateral ties. Strategic communication has also increased between the two countries," Modi said.

"We had decided to prudently manage our differences without giving them the scope of becoming a dispute. We had also decided to be sensitive to each other's concerns.

Our ties would be a contributor towards peace and stability in the world," the leader added while recalling the first informal meet.

"The Wuhan summit instilled a new momentum and trust in our relations and today's 'Chennai Connect' is the start of a new era in India-China relations," he also said.

During his remarks, the Chinese President recalled the "heart to heart discussions" the two leaders had on the first day of Mahabalipuram summit on Friday.

"We are really overwhelmed by your hospitality. My colleagues and I have felt that very strongly. This will be a memorable experience for me and us," Xi said.

Earlier, Modi and Xi held a fresh round of one-on-one discussion at a tranquil beach resort overlooking the Bay of Bengal in Kovalam on the second and final day of the informal summit, signalling an intent to refashion ties for greater bilateral cooperation.

After around an hour-long talks at the Fisherman's Cove resort, the two leaders took a stroll along the beach and were seen engaged in discussion. Sources said the talks between the two leaders went off well.

Xi arrived in the bustling port city of Mahabalipuram on Friday amid strain in bilateral ties between the two countries after India withdrew Jammu and Kashmir's special status and bifurcated the state into two Union Territories.