Modi greets Abe with signature bear hug in Ahmedabad
Indian PM Narendra Modi has received his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe on his arrival at the Ahmedabad airport with his signature bear hug. The gesture highlights the importance of Abe's two-day visit, part of the 12th India-Japan Annual Summit. Abe and his wife Akie are being welcomed by an unprecedented roadshow in Ahmedabad. Abe and Modi are expected to discuss trade, defense, and infrastructure.
#SwagatShinzoSan
— Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) September 13, 2017
PM @narendramodi breaks protocol to receive PM @AbeShinzo in Ahmedabad for 12th #IndiaJapanAnnualSummit pic.twitter.com/fmaZ65se6r
Modi and Abe are participating in an 8-km roadshow which starts at the Ahmedabad airport and ends at the Sabarmati Ashram. Along the way, 28 small stages have been erected where "dancers from 28 different states, all dressed in their traditional attire, would showcase their performance when these leaders pass," Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation's standing committee chairman Pravin Patel said earlier.
The roadshow highlights India's vibrant diversity. In a bid to celebrate it, Abe and his wife Akie have changed to Indian attire. Abe looks dashing in a blue Indian-style Nehru jacket while Akie looks graceful in a reddish-brown and beige salwar-kameez.
#WATCH: PM Modi & Japanese PM Shinzo Abe's road show to Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad https://t.co/s22zspSeUz
— ANI (@ANI) September 13, 2017
After the pomp and show of the 8-km roadshow, it's now time for some peace and quiet. Abe, Akie, and Modi have reached the Sabarmati Ashram, where they paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi. The trio also spent some quiet time sitting along the serene Sabarmati waterfront. Abe and Akie also signed the visitor's book at the ashram.
