With focus on foreign investments, Narendra Modi to take chief ministers to China

New Delhi: Chief Ministers from Karnataka, Gujarat and Maharashtra will be in Beijing next week when Prime Minister Narendra Modi undertakes his first visit there, with focus expected to be on attracting investments for their states.

Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel, her counterpart from Maharashtra Devendra Fadnavis and Karnataka's Siddaramaiah will not be official part of the Prime Minister's entourage but will travel separately to be in Beijing when Modi reaches there, sources said here today.

The Chief Ministers will be attending a programme in Beijing to be addressed by the Prime Minister, the sources said. The focus of the visit of the Chief Ministers is expected to be attracting investments for their states.

Modi, who will be in China from May 14 to 16, has expressed confidence that the trip will lay the foundation for enhancing cooperation in a wide range of sectors and strengthen stability, progress and prosperity in Asia.

In China, he said, he will visit Xi'an, the native place of President Xi Jinping, besides Beijing and Shanghai. "Looking forward to visiting China from May 14-16 to boost friendship between our 2 ancient civilizations & 2 largest developing nations," he had tweeted in English and Chinese two days back.

"I eagerly await productive discussions with President Xi Jinping & Premier Li Keqiang. I am confident my visit will lay the foundation for further enhancing economic co-operation with China in a wide range of sectors," Modi had added. "Am certain that my visit to China will strengthen stability, progress and prosperity in Asia," he added.

He said he was also looking forward to meeting the captains of industry in Shanghai and sharing with them the wonderful opportunities India has to offer.

Besides China, Modi will also be travelling to Mongolia and South Korea.