New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the death of Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and declared one day national mourning on July 9, 2022. "Mr. Abe made an immense contribution to elevating India-Japan relations to the level of a Special Strategic and Global Partnership. Today, whole India mourns with Japan and we stand in solidarity with our Japanese brothers and sisters in this difficult moment," he tweeted.
"He (Abe) was a towering global statesman, an outstanding leader, and a remarkable administrator. He dedicated his life to make Japan and the world a better place," Modi said. "My association with Mr. Abe goes back many years. I had got to know him during my tenure as Gujarat CM and our friendship continued after I became PM. His sharp insights on economy and global affairs always made a deep impression on me," the Prime Minister said.
Modi said that during my recent visit to Japan, he had the opportunity to meet Abe again and discuss many issues. "He was witty and insightful as always. Little did I know that this would be our last meeting. My heartfelt condolences to his family and the Japanese people," Modi said.
Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Friday expressed condolences over the demise of former Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe. "Deeply saddened by the demise of former PM of Japan, Shinzo Abe. His role in strengthening the strategic relationship between India & Japan was commendable. He leaves behind a lasting legacy in the Indo-Pacific. My condolences to his family and to the people of Japan," Gandhi said on Twitter.
Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu tweeted, "Anguished by the demise of former Japanese Prime Minister, Mr Shinzo Abe. Mr Abe played a crucial role in strengthening India-Japan ties. My deepest condolences to his family members and the people of Japan."
Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has been confirmed dead soon after he was was reportedly shot during a speech in the city of Nara, near Kyoto, on Friday, Japan's NHK WORLD News reported. Abe was airlifted to a hospital soon after. However, he was not breathing and his heart had stopped, officials said. Local fire department official Makoto Morimoto said Abe was in cardio and pulmonary arrest after being shot and was taken to a prefectural hospital.
Shinzo Abe was a conservative right-wing Japanese nationalist. Abe served as the Japanese prime minister twice from 2006–07 and 2012–20. He was Japan's longest-serving leader before stepping down in 2020 for health reasons. His tenure as the Prime Minister of Japan was known internationally for his government’s economic policies, which further pursued fiscal stimulus, monetary easing, and structural reforms in the country. In 2021, Government of India bestowed him with the Padma Vibhushan, India's 2nd highest civilian awards.
