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Japan PM Shinzo Abe visits Varanasi with PM Narendra Modi: As it happened
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In a series of tweet PM Modi thanks UP Govt and other officials for making Shinzo Abe's Varanasi visit a big success.
Sayonara Kashi. After a unique visit to the 'Eternal City' the two Prime Ministers emplane for Delhi.
Also Read: For Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, its business in Delhi and spirituality in Varanasi
Guests enjoy a unique cultural performance while feasting on pure vegetarian Banarasi thali.
PM Narendra Modi hosts banquet for Japan PM Shinzo Abe along with the Uttar Pradesh CM Akhilesh Yadav, Governor Ram Naik, Samajwadi Party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav, renowned musician and Padma Bhushan awardee Pandit Channu Lal Mishra, author Neerja Madhav, Pandit Ashok Dwivedi of the Kashi Visvanath Temple Trust and a number of other prominent personalities from various walks of life.
Dressed in a Nehru jacket, Japanese PM Shinzo Abe takes part in Ganga Aarti with PM Modi.
(Pic courtesy: @MEA India)
Harnessing history for a visionary future: The PMs take forward the Kyoto-Varanasi Partnership
PM Narendra Modi tweets that a convention centre will be built in Varanasi with Japanese assistance.
The auspicious ceremony of "Ganga Aarti" at Dasaswamedh Ghat in Varanasi concludes amid loud chanting of “Har har Mahadev”. PM Modi along with Japan PM Shinzo Abe offer prayers, lift their hands in order to offer prayers to the almighty.
(Pic courtesy: ANI)
Apart from Varansai, Ganga Aarti is also performed in Rishikesh and Haridwar.
(Pic courtesy: ANI)
Also Read: India, Japan sign 16 deals including high-speed trains, defence, education, tech
The official Twitter handle of PMO India tweets a picture of PM Modi and Japan PM Shinzo Abe direct from the Dasaswamedh Ghat.
Latest tweet by PMO shows PM Modi's special friendship with Shinzo Abe.
To the blowing of conch shells and the chanting of Vedic hymns, a group of priests carry forward the "Ganga Aarti" ceremony at Dashashwamedh Ghat.
(Pic courtesy: ANI)
Part of the auspicious "Ganga Aarti" ceremony at Dasaswamedh Ghat in Varanasi ends.
PM Narendra Modi and Japan PM Shinzo Abe arrive at Dasaswamedh Ghat, take part in the "Ganga Arti", an exquisitely choreographed ritual performed daily on the banks of the river, in Varanasi.
Convoy of PM Modi, Japan's PM Shinzo Abe moves from hotel Taj to Dashashwamedh Ghat where they will watch the "Ganga Arti".
Also Read: Japanese PM Shinzo Abe arrives in Varanasi to a red carpet welcome
Japan PM Abe, accompanied by PM Narendra Modi, receives warm welcome with an orchestra of "dhols", "shehnai" & "dungchen" in Varanasi.
(Pic courtesy: ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Japan's PM Shinzo Abe reach Varanasi.
Also Read: From Kyoto to Kashi: What will Japan's PM Shinzo Abe do for 4 hours in Varanasi
Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar says Mumbai-Ahmedabad high speed rail project will be completed in seven years. Japan has given a highly concessional loan with repayment period of 50 years and 15 year moratorium. It has an interest rate of 0.1 percent. The project will be executed in a joint venture of the Indian and Japanese companies.
A son of legendary Shehnai player late Ustad Bismillah Khan will be performing today at a cultural event in Varanasi to welcome Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
Also Read: Bismillah Khan's son to perform to welcome Modi, Abe in Varanasi
Elaborate security arrangements are in place in Varanasi which is all decked up to welcome Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe today. The two leaders are likely to arrive at around 4:00 pm at the Babatpur Airport.
A protest is taking place against Indo-Japan nuclear deal in Delhi. Ex-CPI (M) general secretary Prakash Karat is present.
People to people relations are important. We are extending multiple entry visas, announces Japan's PM Abe.
Japan's PM Shinzo Abe says: "We have taken relationship to a new level and buds have turned into blossoms...With a view to supporting growth of India, both public and private sector of Japan will act in unison."
Recognising our special relationship, India will extend 'visa on arrival' to all Japanese citizens from March 01, 2016: PM Modi
I appreciate Japan's PM Shinzo Abe's support for India's membership of APEC. We will also strive for our rightful place in a reformed UN Security Council: PM
We have taken two more decisive steps in security co-operation that will deepen our defence relations and promote defence manufacturing in India. This builds on decision to expand staff talks to all three wings of Armed Forces and to make Japan a partner in Malabar Naval Exercises: PM Modi
We are engaged in wide ranging collaboration in clean energy and energy efficiency technology that will create solutions for the world at large, notes PM Modi.
We appreciate the sharp rise in bilateral assistance programme and the strength of public and private Japanese commitment for `Make in India`. Last year, Japan's PM Abe spoke of USD 35 billion of Japanese finance and investments for India over five years.
Japan has signed a deal to build India`s first bullet train, announces Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "This enterprise will launch a revolution in Indian railways and speed up India`s journey into the future. It will become an engine of economic transformation in India".
Also Read: Japan to build India`s first bullet train: India PM Modi
India and Japan ink MoU on civil nuclear energy.
No other strategic partnership can exercise a more profound influence on shaping the course of Asia and our interlinked ocean regions: Modi
PM Narendra Modi addresses a joint press conference with Shinzo Abe, says he is delighted to welcome his Japanese counterpart, a personal friend and a great champion of India-Japan partnership.
PM Modi and Japan's premier Shinzo Abe exchange joint statement on co-operation in security, infrastructure, technology, education and economy.
Delegation-level talks are underway between India and Japan at the Hyderabad House in Delhi.
PM Narendra Modi and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe arrive at the Hyderabad House in Delhi.
The Prime Minister mentions recent economic indicators in both India and Japan, and says these were extremely encouraging, especially in the light of the global economic slowdown.
Japan's PM Shinzo Abe meets President Pranab Mukherjee at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Business Leaders Forum concludes.
PM Modi's economic policies are like Shinkansen (a network of high-speed railway lines in Japan) - high speed, safe and reliable and carrying many people along: Japan's PM Abe
Also Read: PM Modi takes decisions with the speed of bullet trains— fast and reliable: Prime Minister Abe
Japanese premier Shinzo Abe begins his address, says a strong India is good for Japan and a strong Japan is good for India.
The PM says India is a land of possibilities with excellent human resources and a technological base. He recalls that Japan had been a part of many key economic turning points in India, and gives the examples of the Maruti car, and the DFC (Dedicated Freight Corridor).
PM Narendra Modi says "Make in India" is proceeding in mission mode, not just in India, but also in Japan. USD 11-12 billion dollar fund has been created in Japan
to promote 'Make in India'. He adds the "Japan Plus" initiative that was begun last year as a policy experiment, is also doing well.PM Narendra Modi begins address at the business leaders meet.
PM Narendra Modi receives Japan's PM Shinzo Abe ahead of the Business Leaders Forum.
The two leaders are also expected to interact with dignitaries of Varanasi over dinner before boarding their return flight to the national capital.
Officials of the Japanese Embassy have been camping in Varanasi for the past few days to take stock of preparations and security arrangements for the visit of Abe.
Army and Navy personnel would be guarding the make-shift stage from where the Premiers will enjoy a panoramic view of the event.
A gigantic make-shift stage has been erected on the river bed with the help of pontoons and a music system is being installed with special permission from the Allahabad High Court.
The two leaders will attend the 'Ganga Arti', a beautifully choreographed ritual worship of the holy river performed daily at the fabled Dashashwamedh Ghat.
PM Modi is likely to present his Japanese counterpart with artefacts prepared by artisans of Varanasi.
Marking a new chapter in centuries-old ties between India and Japan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe will visit Varanasi today after concluding talks in Delhi.
According to sources, the sides are working to make forward movement in the proposed nuclear deal.
A number of agreements to expand cooperation in a range of areas are expected to be signed after Modi-Abe talks, likely to deliberate on a number of infrastructure projects, including the ambitious smart cities initiative.
During the 9th annual Indo-Japan summit talks, the two leaders will review implementation of various decisions taken in their previous meetings and discuss ways to further boost trade and investment between the two Asian economic powers.
During the meeting, the two sides are expected to seal a Rs 98,000 crore deal for India's first bullet train track and deliberate on a civil nuclear agreement.
Also Read: Japanese PM Shinzo Abe's India visit: Rs 98,000 crore bullet train deal to be signed today
Japanese PM Shinzo Abe, who arrived in India on Friday on a three-day visit, will participate in an annual summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday.
Also Read: Narendra Modi's special friend Shinzo Abe arrives in India: Here's what to expect
Japan and India agreed several high-profile deals on Saturday on high-speed rail, defence technology, and a memorandum of understanding on civil nuclear cooperation.