Engaging with the dragon

Rajeev Sharma

Narendra Modi and Xi JInping

Mamallapuram, one of the probable cities that could
host the informal summit between Prime Minister
Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping. India and China are at the cusp of an extremely important confidence-building exercise at the summit level around mid-October when Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping are to meet in a Wuhan-type informal summit. But there have been problems about the venue of this summit, apart from a big ‘if’ on the summit itself.
This summit meeting was earlier proposed by the Indian side to be held in Varanasi, Modi’s Lok Sabha constituency. However the Chinese quietly disposed the idea. They weren’t interested in Varanasi for a host of reasons – Varanasi is too crowded, the venue isn’t insulated from possible protests from the Tibetans, the Varanasi airport doesn’t have a long enough airstrip to allow Xi’s large plane to land, to name a few.

The Chinese proposed two other venues, both in Rajasthan—Jaipur and Udaipur. However, the Chinese proposal didn’t get much traction from the Modi government, perhaps because the state is ruled by the Congress, an anathema for the Modi government. Instead, the Indians suggested that the informal summit be held in Tamil Nadu’s Mamallapuram, an idyllic coastal place dotted with a number of luxury hotels and resorts which would meet logistical requirements of both sides for accommodating the two sides' supreme leaders and their delegations.

The Modi government suggested Mamallapuram as the venue of the second Wuhan-type informal summit as it would like to enlarge its political footprints in southern India, particularly Tamil Nadu where Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party’s is very weak and holding the informal summit in Tamil Nadu would be politically correct as the Tamils have had intense contacts with China for last 1200 years. Moreover, Mamallapuram doesn’t have any worthwhile presence of the Tibetans. The Chinese have finally accepted Mamallapuram, earlier known as Mahabalipuram, as the summit venue. However, the summit in Mamallapuram is still to be officially announced by either side.

Uncertainty continues to prevail about the dates and schedule of the summit, proposed in Mamallapuram, near Chennai.

Though officials of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) claim it's as per the schedule and preparations are seemingly in full flow in Chennai and Mamallapuram, it's surrounded by all kinds of conjectures. Here are a few pointers:

• A diplomat of the Chinese embassy in New Delhi met a middle-level but important MEA official on September 10. But even she had no idea about the exact dates and venue of the summit. She met the MEA official for some visarelated issues, not on the summit!
• MEA has "blocked" whole hotel Sheraton (a Marriott venture) which has 125 rooms for Oct 11-13. The MEA has also blocked the luxury resort of Fishermen Cove on the same dates.
The Fishermen Cove has a km-long approach road from the main road which is being widened and rebuilt. It may well be a sure sign of Xi’s delegation staying here. But there is no confirmation. Because Chinese have not yet booked the resort.
• Road is in good condition, dotted with villages, markets and small habitations on both sides. On the left side is the Bay of Bengal and right side is Tamil Nadu. Mamallapuram falls in Kanchiluram district adjoining Chennai.

Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) workers have been doing renovation work at the monument "Five Rathas", where Xi and Modi are likely to have a leisurely stroll.

Another historical monument that the two leaders are going to visit is the Shore Temple, a 7th century structure dedicated to Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu. The Shore Temple boasts of is that it’s the earliest structural temple in South India and is listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

Much would depend on the Indian stand on Huawei, the Chinese telecom giant which has been banned by the US over security concerns. The US has been pressuring India to ban Huawei. If India does finally decide to ban Huawei, the Chinese are extremely likely to drop their plans for the Mamallapuram summit. Huawei is going to be China’s biggest and most important talking point at the Mamallapuram summit.

Shore Temple is a standing testimonial to the regal heritage of India. It’s one of the most photographed monuments in India.

Shore Temple is a structural monument on the shores of Bay of Bengal. It depicts the royal taste of Pallava dynasty. During the reign of Rajasimha, the temple saw its construction when Pallava art was at its apex. Ravaged by wind and sea, the temple has witnessed the historical events of India. This work of genius was recognized and listed amongst the World Heritage Sites by UNESCO.

• Unlike other monuments of the region, Shore Temple is a five-storied rock-cut structural temple in southern India. It happens to be one among the earliest and most important structural temples.
• The temple was designed to grasp the first rays of the rising sun and to spotlight the waters after sunset. In the words of Percy Brown, Shore Temple served as "a landmark by day and a beacon by night".

Wang Yi The purpose of giving these minute details of the likely places to be visited by Xi and Modi is to indicate that the Mamallapuram summit is very much on even though no formal announcement has come from either side to confirm the summit and its exact dates. The MEA has worked out two sets of dates for Mamallapuram summit – October 11- 12-13 and October 15-16-17. In between those dates Xi is scheduled to undertake a bilateral visit to Nepal.

Greater clarity about the proposed summit is unlikely before PM Modi concludes his visit to the United States on September 27. Right now the MEA is focused on Modi’s US visit.

The uncertainties over the summit heightened after the cancellation of Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi’s visit to China. He was supposed to be in India on September 10. But apparently India didn’t favour Wang Yi travelling to New Delhi from Pakistan, thus hyphenating India and Pakistan. Wang Yi may travel to India in early October.

However, much would depend on the Indian stand on Huawei, the Chinese telecom giant which has been banned by the US over security concerns. The US has been pressuring India to ban Huawei. If India does finally decide to ban Huawei, the Chinese are extremely likely to drop their plans for the Mamallapuram summit. Huawei is going to be China’s biggest and most important talking point at the Mamallapuram summit. Indications are that India will likely play a double gane on Huawei: India may not ban Huawei from the 5-g licenses process. At the same time, India is unlikely to allow Huawei to set up shop in India.