Shinzo Abe's India visit, day 1: As it happened

Pic courtesy: @PMOIndia

Delhi: Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who arrived on Wednesday on a two-day visit, was accorded a warm welcome by his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi at the Ahmedabad airport.

Abe, who is accompanied by his wife Akie Abe, has a hectic schedule for the next two days in Modi's home state, including laying of the foundation stone for India's first bullet train, to be run between Ahmedabad and Mumbai, and to attend the 12th Indo-Japan Summit.

Abe was presented a guard of honour at the airport, after which artistes performed the traditional Gujarati dance showcasing the state's rich cultural traditions.

13 September 2017

22:42 IST

Mrs. Abe viewing textile exhibits at the venue of the dinner hosted by PM @narendramodi for Mrs. Abe and PM @AbeShinzo. pic.twitter.com/yrXwUY2po3

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) September 13, 2017

22:42 IST

Prime Ministers @AbeShinzo and @narendramodi witness the playing of the 'Jal Tarang.' pic.twitter.com/sP42NjAS4f

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) September 13, 2017

18:21 IST

PM Shri @narendramodi and PM of Japan @AbeShinzo are visiting Sidi Saiyyid ki Jaali in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. LIVE at https://t.co/f95OgUiyYh pic.twitter.com/1R7bDhxvkv

— BJP (@BJP4India) September 13, 2017

17:39 IST

PM Modi, Shinzo Abe visit iconic 16th century Sidi Saiyyed Mosque in Ahmedabad.

17:38 IST

PM Modi presented marble sculpture of Gandhi ji's three monkeys Abe.

PM @narendramodi presented marble sculpture of Gandhiji's famous three monkeys to PM @AbeShinzo#SwagatShinzoSan pic.twitter.com/MUrxYUxUAC

— Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) September 13, 2017

17:18 IST

Here's what Abe wrote:

Special scribe by honoured guest. PM @AbeShinzo signs visitors book at Sabarmati Ashram pic.twitter.com/k9IlCQpG2n

— Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) September 13, 2017

16:56 IST

At Sabarmati Ashram, PM Modi showed Abe and his wife the spinning wheel used by Mahatma Gandhi. 

16:56 IST

Shinzo Abe and his wife sign the visitor's book at Sabarmati Ashram.

16:54 IST

Abe, his wife and PM Modi at Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad.

16:50 IST

LIVE: PM @narendramodi and PM of Japan @AbeShinzo at the Sabarmati Ashram. https://t.co/8rcYRxBg7H #SwagatShinzoSan pic.twitter.com/BiKvLOKUrb

— BJP LIVE (@BJPLive) September 13, 2017

16:47 IST

Abe, his wife and PM Modi pay tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at Sabarmati Ashram.

16:43 IST

Abe, his wife Akie Abe and PM Modi arrive at Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad.

16:42 IST

PM Shri @narendramodi along with Japanese PM @AbeShinzo in Ahmedabad. https://t.co/8rcYRxBg7H #SwagatShinzoSan pic.twitter.com/5zk76JZhdY

— BJP LIVE (@BJPLive) September 13, 2017

16:39 IST

Cultural road show held in in honour of PM Abe.

India says #SwagatShinzoSan. pic.twitter.com/8F0s2tgriI

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) September 13, 2017

16:39 IST

A special welcome for a very special guest. PM @narendramodi with PM @AbeShinzo in Ahmedabad pic.twitter.com/Oucd7SRLoy

— Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) September 13, 2017

16:38 IST

PM @AbeShinzo received a tri-service guard of honour upon his arrival in Ahmedabad pic.twitter.com/TSmDg6vbRW

— Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) September 13, 2017

16:38 IST

#SwagatShinzoSan
PM @narendramodi breaks protocol to receive PM @AbeShinzo in Ahmedabad for 12th #IndiaJapanAnnualSummit pic.twitter.com/fmaZ65se6r

— Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) September 13, 2017

16:37 IST

As India welcomes PM @AbeShinzo, I thank him for his kind words on the robust India-Japan partnership and the strong potential of our ties. pic.twitter.com/TdnISF8E62

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 13, 2017

16:37 IST

Abe was presented a guard of honour at the airport, after which artistes performed the traditional Gujarati dance showcasing the state's rich cultural traditions.

A group of Buddhist monks were also present at the airport to welcome Abe and his wife.

16:36 IST

Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was accorded a warm welcome by PM Narendra Modi at the Ahmedabad airport.

Abe, who is accompanied by his wife Akie Abe, has a hectic schedule for the next two days in Modi's home state, including laying of the foundation stone for India's first bullet train, to be run between Ahmedabad and Mumbai, and to attend the 12th Indo-Japan Summit.