 "Image courtesy: @narendramodi/X")
Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a rousing welcome from the Indian diaspora in Tokyo on Friday as he kick-started his Japan visit.
“Deeply touched by the warmth and affection of the Indian community here in Tokyo. Their commitment to preserving our cultural roots while contributing meaningfully to Japanese society is truly commendable,” PM Modi said.
PM Modi greeted people at a hotel in Tokyo. The Indian community living in Japan were seen waving the national flag and chanting “Bharat Mata ki Jai” as they welcomed the prime minister.
The Indian prime minister is scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting with his Japanese counterpart, Shigeru Ishiba, at the annual India-Japan Summit later today. The talks during the summit, to be held on the first day of his trip, are expected to see Japan pledging to double its investment target in India.
Japanese people showcase Indian culture
Japanese people welcomed the prime minister with Indian cultural performances. Some were seen wearing Rajasthani traditional attire as they met PM Modi.
“It was such a great chance to perform for Prime Minister Modi. I am very happy… I performed Mohiniattam, a South Indian classical dance form. I have more than 25 years of experience. This dance is an indvidual dance form but for Prime Minister Modi, we made it a group performance,” a Japanese woman said.
What’s on the schedule?
On his visit to Japan, the prime minister said both sides would focus on shaping the “next phase in our Special Strategic and Global Partnership”, which he said has made steady and significant progress over the past 11 years.
“We would endeavour to give new wings to our collaboration, expand scope and ambition of our economic and investment ties, and advance cooperation in new and emerging technologies, including AI and semiconductors,” he said.
On the second day of his trip, Modi and Ishiba are likely to travel to Sendai city on the high-speed train to visit a semiconductor facility.
With inputs from agencies