Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Tokyo on Friday morning to a grand cultural welcome featuring performances by Japanese artists deeply inspired by Indian traditions, alongside a warm reception from the Indian diaspora.
Members of the Japanese community showcased their embrace of Indian culture through classical dances and folk songs. A group dressed in Rajasthani attire greeted the Prime Minister with a traditional folk song, while others performed Mohiniyattam, Kathak, Bharatanatyam, and Odissi.
“It was a great chance to perform for Prime Minister Modi. I performed Mohiniyattam, a classical dance form from South India. Though it is traditionally a solo performance, we presented it as a group for him,” said one Japanese artist with over 25 years of experience.
Another performer who showcased Kathak said the experience was like “winning a gold medal,” adding that it was her third time performing before PM Modi but her first opportunity to interact closely with him.
Adding a spiritual note to the celebrations, a group of Japanese nationals chanted the Gayatri Mantra during the welcome.
PM Modi also interacted with members of the Indian diaspora, who greeted him enthusiastically with chants of “Bharat Mata ki Jai.”
The Prime Minister is in Tokyo for a two-day official visit to attend the 15th India-Japan Annual Summit at the invitation of Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. This marks Modi’s first standalone visit to Japan in nearly seven years.
During the summit, the two leaders will review bilateral progress, exchange views on regional and global challenges, and explore new avenues for cooperation under the Special Strategic and Global Partnership.
Following his engagements in Japan, PM Modi will travel to Tianjin, China, from August 31 to September 1 to participate in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit.
