India is pulling out all the stops to welcome Chinese President Xi Jinping as he makes his first trip as president to New Delhi on Wednesday.

While the two Asian superpowers enjoy a developing relationship business-wise, they remain wary of each other as the nature of their relations continues to be defined by rivalry for regional power and mistrust due to a border war 52 years ago.

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Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi hopes to build closer ties with China, whose leader has already pledged to invest US$65 billion in infrastructure.

In a great show of initiative, the Indian government has asked Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama to reschedule a trip to the capital to avert a potential row when Xi visits New Delhi on Friday.

Chinese officials have labeled the Dalai Lama as a "wolf in monk's clothing" for attempting to destroy China's sovereignty by campaigning for independence. The Dalai Lama fled to India in 1959 after a failed coup against Chinese rule.

Both leaders will have the opportunity to cultivate Sino-India relations distinctive of typical Western-dominated post WWII ties, said Jabin Jacob of the Institute of Chinese Studies.

Jacob is quick to point out, however, that the success of such hinges on whether Xi and Modi can jointly ascertain the vision needed to achieve it.

In recent months, Modi has also attempted to bridge ties with other countries, in what the Indian government has called an "intensive state of global engagement."

Ahead of the China-India summit this week, Modi has also reached out to Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe during a trip to Tokyo earlier this month where the two signed a US$35 billion deal that covers infrastructure development and joint security programs.

On Tuesday, New Delhi declared its firm commitment to defend its 3,500 kilometer border with Beijing after reports of a Chinese incursion in the area.

According to a publication cited by Reuters, at least 200 People's Liberation Army soldiers trespassed into India's territory in the Ladakh region last week with the intent to build a 2 kilometer road in the area.

Separately, China's Foreign Ministry on Tuesday said it would oppose the India-Vietnam pact if a provision for ONGC exploration in waters claimed by Beijing was included.

Additionally, some have claimed that China is ready to take a firm stand against India's backing of Vietnam after it entered into a series of defense deals with rival Japan.

It is unclear how the Sino-India dynamic will turn out in light of recent events, but observers will keep a keen eye on developing relations especially during this week's China-India summit.

TagsSino-India relations, Dalai Lama, Institute of Chinese Studies, Chinese incursion in India, Vietnam