Chinese President Xi Jinping has kicked off a three-day visit to India, which is expected to see the two countries further cement trade ties. President Xi met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday, in Modi’s home state of Gujarat. As CCTV America’s Shweta Bajaj explains, the first day of Xi’s visit turned out to be quite fruitful.

Xi Jinping started his visit in Gujarat’s commercial capital of Ahmedabad, with delegations from both sides quickly inking three deals. The Chinese President in an editorial wrote, “China and India are both faced with historic opportunities, and our respective dreams of national renewal are very much aligned with each other. We need to connect our development strategies more closely and jointly pursue our common dream of national strength and prosperity.”

Prior to the meeting with President Xi, Prime Minister Modi talked about the influence of the partnership between China and India on what’s known as the “Asian Century.” Modi’s home state Gujarat has been signed as Guangdong’s sister state with the two provincial capitals Ahmedabad and Guangzhou becoming sister cities. The other deal includes a Chinese industrial park in Gujarat.

But it wasn’t all about business on Wednesday. Modi accompanied Xi Jinping to the Gandhi Ashram, one of the residences of Mahatma Gandhi. The two leaders wrapped up the day with a dinner on the banks of the Sabarmati River.

CCTV America’s Mike Walter is joined by Ambassador Chen Mingming, former Chinese ambassador to New Zealand, to talk about the significance of President Xi’s trip to India.