Kovind meets Nepal's Prez. Bhandari to discuss bilateral cooperation

Indian President Ram Nath Kovind met Nepal's President Bidya Devi Bhandari on October 22 in Tokyo. The two leaders discussed issues of mutual interest and bilateral cooperation. Both leaders are in Japan to attend the enthronement ceremony of Emperor Naruhito. President Kovind's visit to Japan marks the first Indian presidential visit after a gap of 19 years. The Indian President also visited Shinto Meiji Shrine which is dedicated to Emperor Meiji and his wife, Empress Shoken. 

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President's Kovind visit to Japan

President Ram Nath Kovind arrived in Tokyo on October 21. While in Japan, he attended the enthronement ceremony of Japan's Emperor Naruhito on October 22 and was joined by eminent personalities like Britain’s Prince Charles and Chinese Vice-President Wang Qishan. According to foreign media reports, dignitaries from over 180 nations were present at the ceremony. Royal families of the UK, Netherlands, Belgium, and Saudi Arabia were also among the invitees. “President Kovind’s visit underlines the deep traditional and civilizational bonds between India and Japan, and shared heritage of Buddhism,” said MEA Secretary (East) Vijay Singh, while addressing the media. 

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President of India Ram Nath Kovind arrived in Japan on late Monday as a part of the second leg of East Asia visit and planted a sapling of the Bodhi tree from India at Tsukiji Hongwanji. Hongwanji is a Buddhist temple located in the Tsukiji district of Tokyo. The President is also scheduled to take one of the superfast trains to visit the Kakegawa city on October 23. 

"President Kovind paid respects at Tsukiji Hongan-Ji Jodo Shinshu Buddhist temple in Tokyo and planted a sapling of bodhi tree from India. The temple architecture is an amalgam of cultures from East Asia, Europe, and the Middle East," Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted.

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(With ANI inputs)

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