Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday met China's President Xi Jinping just ahead of the G20 Summit. This is the second meeting between the leaders of two of Asia's largest countries in less than three months. The last time Xi and Modi met was at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit in June in Tashkent.

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NDTV reported that meeting between the two leaders lasted for nearly half an hour. "China is willing to work with India to maintain their hard-won sound relations and further advance their cooperation," President Xi said, according to Xinhua.

Xi's comment comes at a time when the bilateral ties between China and India have been under strain due to a host of contentious issues. China's blockade over India's bid for membership in the Nuclear Suppliers' Group (NSG) and the controversial China-Pakistan Economic Corridor project are among these issues.

There is no confirmation that Xi gave any assurance to Modi over these pressing issues. Modi's visit to China comes after his two-day visit to Vietnam that saw both countries sign various agreements. Modi's visit to Hanoi was closely watched by experts and leaders in China. Experts say the visit was primarily aimed at enhancing India's influence in South East Asian region.

This week Modi also gave a red carpet welcome to the President of Myanmar Htin Kyaw in New Delhi. The visit is important as it came barely weeks after Myanmar's de-facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi's visited China. Myanmar is a traditionally close ally of China but has been trying to woo Naypyidaw as part of South East Asian diplomatic strategy.

TagsPrime Minister Narendra Modi, G20 Summit 2016, Modi and XI Meeting, Modi's China Visit