Shocked, sad at demise of my dear friend Shinzo Abe, says PM Modi; national mourning tomorrow

“I am shocked and saddened beyond words at the tragic demise of one of my dearest friends, Shinzo Abe. He 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,” PM Modi wrote on Twitter. PM Modi also declared national mourning tomorrow (July 9) over the death of the longest-serving Japanese PM.

Deeply distressed by the attack on my dear friend Abe Shinzo. Our thoughts and prayers are with him, his family, and the people of Japan.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 8, 2022

Shinzo Abe died after being shot on Friday in Nara while campaigning for the upcoming election, said a Reuters report quoting the government spokesperson. The 67-year-old ex-world leader showed no vital signs after being rushed to hospital, news agency AFP stated quoting Japanese media.

Shinzo Abe Death News |Follow Live Updates

Abe had a close relationship with India and was the first Japanese PM to be Chief Guest at the Republic Day parade in 2014. Having visited Japan several times as Gujarat CM, Modi as PM chose Japan for his first bilateral visit outside the neighbourhood, in September 2014. Modi and Abe agreed to upgrade the bilateral relationship to “Special Strategic and Global Partnership”. The relationship grew and encompassed issues from civilian nuclear energy to maritime security, bullet trains to quality infrastructure, Act East policy to Indo-Pacific strategy.

Having hosted Modi at his ancestral home in Yamanashi, the first such reception extended to a foreign leader, Abe was feted at a roadshow in Ahmedabad.