Japanese and Indian PMs tour Buddhist temple in Kyoto

2014-08-31 21

ROUGH CUT (NO REPORTER NARRATION).

STORY: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe toured an ancient Buddhist temple in Kyoto, western Japan, on Sunday as the Indian leader began the second day of his visit to Japan.

Modi arrived in Kyoto on Saturday seeking to capitalize on his affinity with Japanese counterpart Abe to strengthen security and business ties on his first major foreign visit since his landslide election victory in May.

On Sunday, the two leaders toured the "To-ji" Buddhist Temple, founded in late 8th century in downtown Kyoto.

Modi hopes that Kyoto will serve as a template for his vision of building 100 'smart' cities in India - and to develop the ancient Indian holy city of Varanasi on the river Ganges that he represents in parliament.

Modi, 63, is embarking on an intense month of diplomacy in which he will receive Chinese President Xi Jinping before meeting U.S. President Barack Obama in Washington as he

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