"PM Modi spoke about historical and trading links between southern part of India and eastern coast of China," Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale told reporters. The discussions between the two leaders over dinner went on for over two hours, much longer than the scheduled one hour, Mr Gokhale said.

"The free flowing nature of the Informal Summit at the UNESCO World Heritage site will continue and deepen contacts at the highest level and guide the future trajectory of India-China relationship," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said.

"Overlooking the Bay of Bengal is the majestic Shore Temple. One of the most iconic landmarks, the Shore Temple exemplifies the greatness and grandness of Indian culture," PM Modi tweeted on Friday night after he and Xi returned to Chennai from Mamallapuram.

The key free-wheeling one-on-one meeting between PM Modi and President Xi will take place on Saturday morning. The two-day meet has been planned for one-on-one talks between both the leaders for six hours. Separate statements will be issued, government sources said. The aim, they said, is to build contacts at the highest level and exchange views on key issues.

President Xi landed in Chennai a little before 2 pm in an Air China Boeing 747 aircraft, from where he was driven to Mamallapuram after a brief rest at a hotel. He was received by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister EK Palaniswami, Governor Banwarilal Purohit and Speaker of the Tamil Nadu Assembly P Dhanapal. A brief cultural ceremony was organised to honour the Chinese leader.

PM Modi landed in Chennai at around 11:30 am. The Prime Minister, who came in a chopper to Mamallapuram, showed the visiting leader three of the site's ancient UNESCO heritage monuments - Arjuna's Penance, Panch Rathas and the Shore Temple. The two leaders also watched a cultural programme with Shore Temple as the backdrop. During PM Modi's visit to Wuhan, President Xi had given him a personal tour of the Hubei provincial Museum.

On Saturday morning, the two leaders will hold their informal meet at the Taj Fisherman's Cove Resort and Spa, which will be followed by delegation-level talks. PM Modi will also host President Xi lunch.

The first informal summit between PM Modi and Xi Jinping took place Wuhan, a picturesque Chinese lake city, months after a 73-day face-off between the armies of the two countries in Doklam last year.

On Wednesday, Beijing said Xi Jinping had assured support to Pakistan on issues related to its "core interests". State-owned Xinhua News Agency also quoted him as saying that although the "right and wrong" of the situation were clear, India and Pakistan should resolve the situation through peaceful dialogue. Later on Wednesday evening, a joint statement after President Xi and Imran Khan's meeting, said Jammu and Kashmir should be "properly and peacefully resolved based on the UN Charter, relevant UN Security Council resolutions and bilateral agreements."