Chinese delegation inspects Mahabs before Modi-Xi summit

The Mahabalipuram police were also part of the team on Friday. Senior security officers also marked their presence at Mahabalipuram on Friday.

According to sources, officials from Chinese defence and tourism departments visited places like Butter Ball Stone, Arjuna’s Penance, Seashore Temple and Five Rathas, which are listed as sites to be visited by Jinping, and took photographs. Officials said that the two leaders would engage in photoshoots near the sculptures.

Modi and Jinping are expected to fly from Chennai airport to Thiruvidanthai village, where a helipad was built last year when the former came to inaugurate the defence expo in 2018. They will then go to Fisherman’s Cove by car on October 11 evening. The two leaders are expected to fly out on October 13.

Apart from visiting the historical sculptures at Mahabalipuram, they are expected to meet during their stay at the hotel as well.

It may be noted that, on Tuesday, Kancheepuram Collector P Ponniah and other district officials visited Mahabalipuram, a UNESCO world heritage site for its Pallava-era stone works. District administration has already started work to lay new roads in the town. Last week, a team of Special Protection Group (SPG) officials from Delhi had visited Mamallapuram and later held discussions with State officials regarding the security arrangements for the summit.