PM to host private dinner for Wen Jiabao on Wednesday

NEW DELHI: Ahead of their talks on key security and strategic issues on Thursday, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will host a private dinner for Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao after his arrival here tomorrow.

According to sources, Singh will host a dinner for the visiting dignitary which will be attended by a limited number of guests, including some senior cabinet ministers and some top officials.

The dinner will also provide an opportunity to both the leaders to meet informally and touch upon some of the key issues, including India's concern over stapled visas to residents of Jammu and Kashmir, trade ties and UNSC, which will figure in their December 16 delegation-level talks.

Wen, accompanied by biggest ever delegation of 400 businessmen, senior ministers and officials, will be here on a three-day state visit.