Top political leaders of the two most populated countries in the world, India and China, are set to walk the talk on important bilateral issues on the picturesque Sabarmati Riverfront Development Project (SRDP).
Ahead of the grand dinner that will be hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in honour of Chinese President Xi Jinping, both the leaders will take a long walk together on Wednesday evening and discuss various issues at length.
Sources said that Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh was in Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar to oversee preparations for Modi and Jinping’s various programmes. Apart from Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel, top bureaucrats and leading industrialists are expected to attend Modi’s dinner for Jinping.
The Chinese President will start his India visit from Gujarat on September 17 and spend six hours in Ahmedabad. As per his schedule, Jinping will reach Ahmedabad airport at 2.30 pm and straightaway head for Hyatt Hotel in Vastrapur area. There he will meet top industrialists of India in the presence of Modi and sign MoUs for the industrial park. Subsequently, Jinping will pay a visit to Gandhi Ashram and reached the SRDP to take a walk with Modi and attend the dinner party. At around 8.30 pm both the leaders will leave for Delhi.
The Prime Minister will arrive at Ahmedabad a day before the Chinese President. He is likely to address a meeting of BJP workers, most probably near the State BJP headquarters Shri Kamalam on the outskirts of Gujarat’s Capital Gandhinagar. As per protocol, he will have a night halt at Raj Bhavan.
On Wednesday Modi will celebrate his 64th birthday by taking the blessings of his mother Hira Ba, who stays with his younger brother Pankaj in Gandhinagar and attend a function at Mahatma Mandir.
Meanwhile, Gujarat Police and the Prime Minister’s security personnel are taking all possible safety precautions for the two leaders. CCTV cameras have been installed outside Hira Ba’s house. Besides, bushes and trees are being trimmed right from Ahmedabad Airport to Raj Bhavan in Gandhinagar.
Five companies of paramilitary forces, 1,500 policemen, 250 senior police officers, 25 DSPs and nine SP-level officials will be deployed at different locations to ensure maximum security for the two leaders.
Moreover, 100 policewomen, 150 traffic police officers, 75 commandos, three teams of quick response cell, three and two companies of CRPF and SRP respectively will also be deployed at critical points and at the places the two leaders are supposed to visit, Mahatma Mandir, Secretariat, Raj Bhavan, Hyatt Hotel etc.
CCTV cameras have also been installed at strategic points. Besides, from Sunday onwards there would be 24X7 police patrolling and surprise checks till the departure of Modi and Jinping. Many roads in Ahmedabad that were washed away or damaged, due to the heavy rain are now being repaired.