Talking more, not less

However, Sino-Indian relations are complex.

Through bilateral high-level meetings, a mechanism could be created where there are fewer elements of surprise in the relationship, according to Einar Tangen, a commentator in Beijing on Chinese economic and political affairs.

He said he expects economic issues, included regional proposals such as the China-Nepal-India rail corridor to be discussed at the summit.

Srikanth Kondapalli, a professor specializing in Chinese studies at Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi, said India is expected to raise the trade imbalance issue, adding that the deficit has implications for government spending in India.

Information technology is an area that offers scope for synergy, Tangen said. "IT is something that Xi and Modi could talk about."

China is at the forefront of not only developing technology but also setting the agenda. "India has the technical manpower to help China with both hardware and software. This would breathe new life into India's tech industry" and create the jobs it wants and needs, Tangen said.

But to do business, "India needs to do more to familiarize itself with China — culturally, politically and legally", he added.

Long Xingchun, a professor specializing in Indian studies at China West Normal University in Nanchong, Sichuan province, said he expects the border issue, mutual connectivity and regional cooperation to be among the topics to be covered at the summit.