Setting Borders, Overcoming Obstacles: India's President Visits China

Indian President Pranab Mukherjee embarked on a four-day visit to China on Tuesday morning. Asia's neighboring economic rivals hope to strengthen ties between their countries.

President Pranab Mukherjee’s visit to China is significant in that it signals that India and Pakistan intend to put an end to growing mistrust and broaden bilateral relations.

During the visit, Indian President Pranab Mukherjee will discuss a range of key and contentious issues with China's leaders.

Pranab Mukherjee will meet Chinese President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Le Keqiang and is likely to discuss the issue of China blocking India’s bid to have the UN ban Masood Azhar, the leader of Jaish-e-Mohammed, a Pakistani terrorist group. The President will also seek China’s support in its attempt to obtain membership in the Nuclear Supply Group.

Furthermore, the Indian President will also pursue a reasonable and mutually acceptable settlement of the boundary question with China's leaders. The India – China boundary issue has soured relations between the two neighboring countries for decades.

President Pranab Mukherjee is visiting China’s industrial province of Guangzhou first, where he will participate in an Indian community event. After that, Mukherjee will head to Beijing, where he will meet with China's leaders.

Indian president Pranab Mukherjee arrives in #Guangzhou, begins his four-day state visit to #China pic.twitter.com/Diwa9Ieqb8

— People's Daily,China (@PDChina) May 24, 2016

​The Indian President is accompanied by a large delegation, including the vice chancellors of the country's central universities and several directors from the Indian Institute of Technology.