- Monday, March 10, 2025
By: Shubham Ghosh
Indian prime minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday (27) extended his heartfelt condolences to his dear friend “Abe San”, late Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe who was assassinated during a campaign speech in Nara, Japan, in July. He was 67.
In his opening remarks to Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida in Tokyo, Modi conveyed his personal loss as Abe was his dear friend.
“Today we are meeting in this hour of sorrow. The last time I came I had a long conversation with former Japanese PM Shinzo Abe. India is missing Shinzo Abe and remembering him and Japan,” he said during a bilateral meet with Kishida.
Had a fruitful meeting with PM Kishida. We discussed various bilateral subjects. I conveyed my condolences on the tragic demise of former PM Shinzo Abe. @kishida230 pic.twitter.com/B46HQ4tbca
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 27, 2022
He said that Abe had taken India and Japan relations to new heights and expanded them into many other areas.
“Abe took India and Japan relations to new heights and expanded it into many other areas. Our friendship played a key role in the growth of the global perspective. The people of India remember Abe San for all the good works he has done. They are missing Abe San. But, I do believe that under your leadership (Kishida), India-Japan relations will grow strong and will attain new heights and will play a major role in solving the problems of the world,” the Indian prime minister added.
Kishida thanked Modi for attending the funeral of Abe and said that the latter, along with PM Abe, strengthened India-Japan ties.
“PM @narendramodi met Japanese PM @kishida230 & extended his deepest condolences on the untimely demise of former PM Shinzo Abe. Also had a useful exchange on further enhancing bilateral relations and working together towards realization of a free, open & inclusive Indo-Pacific,” tweeted Arindam Bagchi, spokesperson of the Indian ministry of external affairs.
PM @narendramodi met Japanese PM @kishida230 & extended his deepest condolences on the untimely demise of former PM Shinzo Abe.
Also had a useful exchange on further enhancing bilateral relations and working together towards realization of a free, open & inclusive IndoPacific. pic.twitter.com/BMsTYnQLW6
— Arindam Bagchi (@MEAIndia) September 27, 2022
Abe was shot around 11:30 am local time in Nara on July 8, east of Osaka, as he gave an election campaign speech on the street. He was taken to the hospital where Japan’s longest-serving premier was pronounced dead at 5:03 pm.
Japan has imposed tight security measures in the capital city Tokyo as it prepares to host foreign dignitaries for the state funeral of Abe, which will be attended by several foreign dignitaries.
Abe’s funeral will be the second state funeral for a former Japanese prime minister since World War 2. The first one was held in 1967 for Shigeru Yoshida.
Other deceased prime ministers received a joint Cabinet Office and Liberal Democratic Party service.
The funeral service will likely last for approximately one-and-a-half hours following which the national anthem of the country will be played, according to Japan Times. Prime minister Kishida will deliver a commemorative speech followed by addresses from other high-level delegates.
The state funeral ceremony will be the first major public event since new police security guidelines were implemented, including sniffer dogs at train stations and police patrols at Tokyo-area airports after Abe’s assassination.
Japan’s royal family will also pay tributes to Abe at his funeral. However, maintaining the line of tradition, Emperor Naruhito will not be attending the funeral, and their imperial envoys will pay their respects.
The funeral ceremony will conclude with sending off Abe’s remains and placing remembrance wreaths. Abe was shot on July 8 in the Japanese city of Nara.
Tetsuya Yamagami, 41, approached the politician from behind and fired two shots from a distance of about 10 metres after reportedly plotting the assassination for nearly a year.
Abe stepped down from the post of the prime minister in 2020 citing health reasons.
He was the prime minister — from 2006-07 and from 2012-20.
[With ANI inputs]
