The Army and the Navy personnel are guarding the make-shift stage from where the Premiers will enjoy a panoramic view of the event.
Mr Abe and PM Modi landed by a special aircraft at the Babatpur airport in Varanasi around 4 pm. As the two left, the ministry of external affairs tweeted, "Taking Japan to the heart of India. In a special gesture PM invites PM @AbeShinzo to fly together to Varanasi."
Mr Abe, who is on a three-day day visit to India, will also meet a select group of people, both Indians and of people of Japanese origin, residing in Varanasi.
The two leaders will fly back to Delhi after a banquet, in which various dignitaries, including Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, Governor Ram Naik and state ministers are likely to take part.
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