Diaspora out in force for Indian PM Modi in Tokyo

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on a two-day visit to Tokyo, received a rousing welcome on Monday from the Indian diaspora at the Hotel New Otani where he will be staying during his trip.

"Har Har Modi", "Modi Modi", "Vande Mataram" and "Bharat Mata ki Jai" slogans reverberated at the hotel as people from Indian diaspora cheered and waved their flags seeing the Prime Minister. Many children along with their parents were present at the hotel, waving their hands at the Prime Minister's arrival.

The Prime Minister also interacted with one of the kids present there and signed an autograph for him. "Waah! Where did you learn Hindi from?... You know it pretty well?"

"Japan's Indian community has made pioneering contributions in different fields. They have also remained connected with their roots in India. I thank the Indian diaspora in Japan for the warm welcome," PM Modi said in a tweet.

"Closer India-Japan cooperation is vital in the post-COVID world. Our nations are firmly committed to democratic values. Together, we are key pillars of a stable and secure Indo-Pacific region. I am equally glad that we are working closely in various multilateral forums as well," he added.

The meeting with PM Kishida will provide an opportunity for the two leaders to carry forward their conversations from the 14th India-Japan Annual Summit held in March, when PM Kishida visited India.

(ANI)