Xi, Modi in US to attend nuclear summit
March 31, 2016, 10:52 am

File photo: Chinese President Xi Jinping with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi [[Xinhua]

Xi, who also attended the third NSS in The Hague in 2014, is scheduled to address the opening plenary session on Friday to expound China’s nuclear security policy, and put forth a set of proposals on further beefing up global nuclear security.

Xi and Modi will attend a dinner for visiting leaders hosted by US President Barack Obama at the White House on Thursday.

During a trip to Brussels following the recent terrorist attack, Modi has called upon the United Nations to delink terror from religion.

Terrorism “cannot and should not be associated with any religion, nationality, civilisation or ethnic group”, Modi said.

Also on Thursday, Chinese President Xi will hold talks with his US counterpart to discuss bilateral ties even as Sino-US tensions remain unabated over the South China Sea dispute.

China’s Defence Ministry denounced as gesticulation on Thursday speculation it would declare an air defence zone over the disputed South China Sea, after the United States said it had told China it would not recognise one.

In Washington, Xi and Obama will also meet with members of the P5-plus-1 to discuss the implementation of the Iran deal on Thursday.

Russia is not participating in the NSS talks. Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff has also cancelled her trip following the deepening of a political crisis at home.

The South African delegation to the NSS is being led by Foreign Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane.

The NSS, a biennial event initiated by Obama, will this year draw together leaders and envoys from 52 countries and four international organizations.

At a press briefing last week, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Li Baodong said China will work with all parties concerned to ensure the success of the Washington summit and establish “an international nuclear security system featuring fairness, cooperation and win-win results”.

The Chinese president arrived in Washington from Prague after his state visit to the Czech Republic, the first by a Chinese head of state in 67 years since the two countries established diplomatic ties.

Source: Agencies