'Xi, Modi might reach important consensus on issues'

Beijing, April 24: Chinese President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Narendra Modi may reach "very important consensus" at their informal April 27-28 summit in China's central city of Wuhan that could help resolve "outstanding issues" between the two countries, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Kong Xuanyou said here on Tuesday.

"This time the informal summit will not produce any joint document, but leaders of the two sides may reach very important consensus. Such consensus will also help advance the process of resolving outstanding issues," Kong said, adding, "after the summit, we will release information in a timely manner".

He said both leaders will have "heart-to heart" talks in "several meetings".

"The two leaders will have heart-to-heart discussions on overarching issues. Despite some specific differences, the two sides will remain in touch through relevant channels."

The "unprecedented summit" reflects the importance the countries attach to each other, he said.

He said this time, both sides decided to hold an informal summit of the two leaders, since both countries "attach great importance to each other and not because the boundary question that remain unresolved and we need to talk about it at the informal summit".

Kong however said that the boundary question was very important too. "Both sides need to work together to create favourable conditions and gradually set with proper settlement of the boundary question and deepen cooperation in different sectors along with mutual understanding and trust." On thew other hand, India's External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Tuesday slammed Pakistan for sheltering terrorists and urged the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) to act against countries that promote terrorism. Without a direct reference to Pakistan, Sushma Swaraj said the world community together must "wipe-out this scourge from the face of the earth". (IANS)