WATCH- PM Modi and Japanese PM Fumio Kishida enjoy golgappa, Chai on sidelines of India-Japan meeting

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and visiting Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Monday took a stroll around the Buddha Jayanti Park in the national capital where there is an offshoot of the main Bodhi tree under which Gautama Buddha is believed to have attained enlightenment in Bodh Gaya. The two leaders also enjoyed snacks there, including golgappas.

PM Modi in tweets, with photos of the two leaders taking a walk around the park and offering floral tribute under the Bodhi tree, said:

“One of the aspects which connects India and Japan is the teachings of Lord Buddha.

“PM @kishida230 and I went to the Buddha Jayanti Park in Delhi. Sharing some glimpses.”

One of the aspects which connects India and Japan is the teachings of Lord Buddha.

PM @kishida230 and I went to the Buddha Jayanti Park in Delhi. Sharing some glimpses. pic.twitter.com/DL64YUQqdg

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 20, 2023

“My friend PM @kishida230 enjoyed Indian snacks including Golgappas,” he tweeted.

My friend PM @kishida230 enjoyed Indian snacks including Golgappas. pic.twitter.com/rXtQQdD7Ki

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 20, 2023

MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi, in tweets, said:

“A walk-through the India-Japan relationship rooted in spiritual affinity!

PM @narendramodi and PM @kishida230 of Japan visit the Buddha Jayanti Park in New Delhi.

“In a special gesture, PM Modi gifted a sapling of Bal Bodhi tree to PM Kishida,” he said.

A walk-through the India-Japan relationship rooted in spiritual affinity!

PM @narendramodi and PM @kishida230 of Japan visit the Buddha Jayanti Park in New Delhi.

In a special gesture, PM Modi gifted a sapling of Bal Bodhi tree to PM Kishida. pic.twitter.com/M5nLR24hqu

— Arindam Bagchi (@MEAIndia) March 20, 2023

PM also shared a video of this special visit to the Buddha Jayanti Park with his friend PM Kishida. 

Sharing the video, he wrote, "A special visit to the Buddha Jayanti Park with my friend, PM @kishida230"

A special visit to the Buddha Jayanti Park with my friend, PM @kishida230. pic.twitter.com/wD0WX6I1vz

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 21, 2023

The Bodhi tree in the Delhi park has grown from a sapling gifted by Sri Lanka to India in the 1960s. The Bodhi tree in Sri Lanka in Anuradhapura is said to be an offshoot of the main Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya under which the Buddha gained enlightenment more than 2,500 years ago. It was brought to Sri Lanka by King Ashoka’s daughter. (Inputs from UNI)