New Delhi: India has declared a day of national mourning Saturday as a mark of respect for late Japanese leader Shinzo Abe, who fell to an assassin’s bullet Friday in the city of Nara.
As a mark of our deepest respect for former Prime Minister Abe Shinzo, a one day national mourning shall be observed on 9 July 2022.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 8, 2022
The former Japan prime minister was delivering a campaign speech for Sunday’s Upper House elections when he was fatally shot by a former Japanese marine from behind. The Nara resident said he intended to kill Abe.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was “shocked and saddened beyond words at the tragic demise of one of my dearest friends, Shinzo Abe”.
Modi called him a towering global statesman, an outstanding leader, and a remarkable administrator. “He dedicated his life to make Japan and the world a better place,” the Prime Minister said.
Modi also shared a photo with Abe, who he said was “passionate about strengthening India-Japan ties”. He described the photo: “He (Abe) had just taken over as the Chairman of the Japan-India Association.”
Sharing a picture from my most recent meeting with my dear friend, Shinzo Abe in Tokyo. Always passionate about strengthening India-Japan ties, he had just taken over as the Chairman of the Japan-India Association. pic.twitter.com/Mw2nR1bIGz
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 8, 2022
Modi added: “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.”
The Prime Minister recollected his long association with Abe. He came to know the late premier as chief minister of Gujarat, a friendship that continued when he became PM, Modi said.
“His sharp insights on economy and global affairs always made a deep impression on me,” Modi added.
The BJP leader found Abe “witty and insightful as always” during a recent visit to the country. “Little did I know that this would be our last meeting. My heartfelt condolences to his family and the Japanese people,” Modi tweeted.