Four must-dos for heads of state in Xi’an

3. Negotiate collaborations with the local government and companies

Though it is an inland city, the economic vitality of Xi'an has increased quickly in recent years. More and more foreign companies set up branches in the city, or have sought cooperation with local factories. As heads of state, the leaders will find all ways and means to boost such cooperation.

In 2013, president of South Korea Geun-hye visited the Xi'an branch of Samsung Corp during her first China trip. According to Indian media, there are many similarities between Xi’an and Bangalore, the "Silicon Valley of India". The two cities have cooperated on software as well as pharmaceuticals in recent years. Prime Minister Modi’s visit may greater opportunities for collaboration.

Since President Xi Jinping put forward The Belt and Road Intiative in 2013, Xi'an has become the new starting line for The Silk Road Economic Belt. According to Hu Shisheng, director of the Institute of South and Southeast Asian and Oceanian Studies at the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations, Prime Minister Modi’s visit marks a welcome for China's "One Belt, One Road Initiative".