PM Modi's Varanasi Rolls Out Red Carpet For Shinzo Abe

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.