Modi’s ‘ chai pe charcha’ with Abe

Tokyo, Sept. 1: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has repeatedly highlighted that he used be a tea seller early in his life, was on Monday treated to a special Japanese “chai” by his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe as per a tradition in this country.

The special gesture was Mr Abe’s way of showing affection to the visiting leader, keeping in with the Japanese tradition “Chanoyu” prevalent since the 16th century.

Mr Modi sat on the floor with knees bent as is the tradition in Japan and drank tea from a special cup. Abe sat next to him to share the moment. The two also had tea cakes along with the Japanese green tea.

Mr Abe then told Mr Modi about tea made in 1950 during the visit of his grandfather Nobusuke Kishi to India as the Prime Minister. The “chai pe charcha” preceded the official substantive talks between Mr Modi and Mr Abe.