From Shinzo Abe's personal villa to robot factory: How PM Modi spent Day 1 in Japan

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe held informal talks at a picturesque resort near Mount Fuji and visited a factory of industrial robot manufacturer on Sunday as they spent about eight hours together on the first-day of a two-day summit.

Abe said Modi was one of his most "dependable" friends and together with the Indian leader, he would like to strengthen bilateral cooperation to realise a free and open Indo-Pacific. Prime Minister Modi was an outstanding leader of his great country, the Japanese premier said.

"I have always believed and stated that the relationship between Japan and India is blessed with the largest potential in the world," he said.

Modi, who landed in Japan on Saturday for a two-day visit, said his meeting with Abe will add new vigour to the strong friendship between the two countries.Japanese Prime Minister received Modi at hotel Mount Fuji in Yamanashi where a meeting between the two leaders is underway.

Here’s how PM Modi spent Day 1 in Japan: 

# Modi was affectionately received by Abe on his arrival at the Hotel Mount Fuji in the scenic Yamanashi prefecture, west of Tokyo.

# Both took a stroll in the garden following which Abe hosted a luncheon for Modi at the scenic resort by Mount Fuji.

# Modi presented Abe two handcrafted stone bowls and dhurries made from rose quartz and yellow quartz stone sourced from Rajasthan. A Jodhpuri wooden chest from Rajasthan with traditional work was also presented. The gifts were specially crafted on the occasion of Modi's visit to Japan.

# After luncheon, both prime ministers visited the FANUC industrial facility, which specialises in automation. 

# "Taking our cooperation to modern and advanced technologies. PM @narendramodi and PM @AbeShinzo visited the FANUC Corporation, one of the largest makers of industrial robots in the world in Yamanashi, and toured the robotics and automation facilities," Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted.

Taking our cooperation to modern and advanced technologies.

PM @narendramodi and PM @AbeShinzo visited the FANUC Corporation, one of the largest makers of industrial robots in the world in #Yamanashi, and toured the robotics and automation facilities. pic.twitter.com/o2mM4ER352

— Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) October 28, 2018

# Modi was briefed on the various robotic and automation capabilities of FANUC.

# Both the leaders observed several illustrations of the working of industrial robots. At the motor assembly facility, they witnessed the assembling of a motor by a robot in 40 seconds, officials added.

# Later in the evening, Abe in a special gesture hosted Modi at his personal villa near Lake Kawaguchi in Yamanashi for a private dinner. It is the first time that Abe has invited a foreign political leader to his holiday home in the village of Narusawa in the prefecture.

# After the dinner, the two leaders left for Tokyo by train. The two prime ministers spent about eight hours together.

A day characterised by special gestures and warmth.

After spending 8 hours together in #Yamanashi, PM @narendramodi & Japanese PM @AbeShinzo depart for Tokyo by Express Train Kaiji. Japan is India’s partner in railway modernisation, including Mumbai Ahmedabad High Speed Railway. pic.twitter.com/CcuEy5BX2Y

— Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) October 28, 2018

# Yamanashi, at a distance of around 110 kilometres from Tokyo, is surrounded by several mountains including Mount Fuji - the country's tallest peak at around 3,776 metres.

# Both leaders will hold a formal summit on Monday in Tokyo, during which strengthening bilateral security and economic cooperation is expected to be high on the agenda.

(With PTI inputs)