Sonia Gandhi listed as lone opposition leader to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping

NEW DELHI: In the absence of a leader of the opposition, Chinese President Xi Jinping would have had a gap in his official interactions during his visit to India. But now it seems likely that Congress President Sonia Gandhi will perform that role.

In the list of Xi's official meetings, the government has listed a meeting with Gandhi. This is so far the only meeting Xi Jinping will be having with any opposition leader. The government has so far not given the post of Leader of opposition to the Congress as its tally falls short of the 10 per cent of Lok Sabha's strength.

Contrary to media reports, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will not be going to Ahmedabad airport to receive Xi. The Chinese president will be received at the airport by Governor O P Kohli and Chief Minister Anandiben Patel. But on the night of the 17th, Modi is scheduled to host a select dinner for President Xi in a fancy tent on the Sabarmati waterfront, with just about five people from either side.

Just as Modi had taken to tweeting in Japanese before his Japan visit, he took to social media on Monday saying he was looking forward to Xi's visit. Modi posted various slides depicting Gujarat's rich Buddhist heritage including his birthplace Vadnagar's excavations. "Ashokan Edict in Junagadh shows Samrat Ashok's reverence towards Buddhism and focuses on social & moral precepts," said one tweet while the other one read, "The place where I was born, Vadnagar, has a rich Buddhist influence including a monastery."

He also noted that well known Chinese traveler, Xuanzang (Hiuen Tsang) noted the presence of Buddhist monasteries and monks in parts of Gujarat.