Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe for a two-day State visit to India in Ahmedabad on Wednesday.
Abe flew in directly from Tokyo to Ahmedabad, perhaps one of the few heads of state to directly land in a country other than National Capital New Delhi. After official function at the airport and Guard of Honour by three wings of defence forces, Abe and his wife Aki Abe were greeted to cultural fiesta and welcomed traditionally by Buddhist monks.
Before landing in India, Abe in his message called India to be “tremendously special” to Japan. “Today, I will begin my visit to India for the fourth time as Japan’s Prime Minister, and visit Prime Minister Modi’s home state of Gujarat. There I will hold my 10th Japan-India summit meeting with Prime Minister Modi, and I am looking forward to further advancing the ‘new era in Japan-India relations.” Saying that Modi was a “powerful leader with an outstanding ability to get things done”, Prime Minister Abe dubbed Japan and India as “major Asian democracies and global powers.”
Before setting out for Sabarmati Ashram on a 8-km long cultural roadshow, Japanese Prime Minister was seen donning Modi Kurta and Koti, while his wife Aki Abe changed into traditional Indian attire. Climbing atop an open jeep, PM Modi, PM Abe and his wife Aki Abe, moved on to Sabarmati Ashram where they were welcomed by as many as 28 troupes en route showcasing cultural highlights of various states of India, including Gujarat, Kerala, and Odisha. Locals had also gathered in large numbers with flags of India and Japan along the decked up roads to welcome both the Prime Ministers.
On reaching Sabarmati Ashram, the dignitaries paid homage to Father of the Nation. Both the Prime Ministers then sat alongside Sabarmati river at the Ashram on traditional Sankheda sofas. The Japanese Prime Minister and his wife later pen down their emotions in guest book of Ashram in the Japanese language. Aki Abe was said to have written “Love and Thankyou” in the visitor book. Throughout the visit to Ashram, PM Modi acted as guide to visiting couple, explaining nuances of Charkha, of Chabutra and three monkeys famously depicting Gandhian ideals.
Later in the evening, Modi welcomed Japanese guests for a visit to 16th century Sidi Saiyad Mosque, the last piece of architecture of Gujarat Sultanate. The filigree work carved out of a single stone is synonymous with the city of Ahmedabad and also an icon of Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad. The mosque also is considered to be a monument of Hindu-Muslim unity.
Post their visit to the mosque, the dignitaries walked into House of MG located next door for a private dinner and closed door meeting.
The focus now shifts to Thursday, when both the Prime Ministers are set to lay the foundation stone for ambitious Rs 1.10 lakh crore Bullet train, sign multiple trade deals and inaugurate couple of Japanese investment projects. They would also attend the 10th Indo-Japanese summit before Japanese premier flies off directly to Tokyo.
Published 13 September 2017, 10:50 IST