' Lost a friend, will cherish every memory': PM Modi pens heartfelt tribute to ex-Japan PM Shinzo Abe

Abe was killed in a gun attack Friday in Japan's western city of Nari while speaking in an election campaign. The attacker, a 41-year-old man, has been arrested and the weapon has been seized.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met the Japanese leader several times both as a prime minister and also when he served as the Chief Minister of Gujarat, and signed multiple agreements between the two countries.

Today, PM Modi led the country in mourning the leader.

In a  tweet thread the Prime Minister said :

"In the passing away of Mr. Abe, Japan and the world have lost a great visionary. And, I have lost a dear friend.

A tribute to my friend Abe San..."

"I first met Abe San in 2007 and since then, we have had so many memorable interactions. I will cherish each of them. Abe San energised the India-Japan relationship. He ensured that Japan is there side by side as New India accelerates its growth"

"As far as global leadership is concerned, Abe San was ahead of his times. The Quad, the ASEAN-led forums, the Indo Pacific Oceans Initiative, the Asia-Africa Growth Corridor and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure all benefited from his contributions."

Earlier, PM Modi expressed grief over the death of Abe in a series of tweets.

In a series of tweets, the Prime Minister said;

“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.”

“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.”

“During my recent visit to Japan, I had the opportunity to meet Mr. 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.”

“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.”

“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.”

“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.”

"Mr Shinzo Abe, former Prime Minister of Japan passed away on 08th July 2022. As a mark of respect to the departed dignitary, the Government of India has decided that there will be one day's State Mourning tomorrow throughout India," the Ministry of Home Affairs said in a statement on Friday evening.

"The National Flag will be flown at half-mast on the day of mourning throughout India on all buildings where the National Flag is flown regularly and there will be no official entertainment on the day," it added. 

Abe's relationship with India

Abe’s visited India for the first time in 2007, during his first term.

His “Confluence of Two Seas” address in the Indian parliament left a huge impact.

He was also the first Japanese PM to attend the Republic Day parade as the chief guest.

Shinzo Abe was quite vocal about his close relationship with India and PM Modi.

“I will be a friend of India for the rest of my life,” Shinzo Abe had famously said, calling PM Modi his “most dependable friend”.

In 2014, when Modi went to Japan after being elected as the Prime Minister of India for the first time, Abe broke protocol to receive him in Kyoto.

Four years later, Abe also greeted PM Modi at his holiday home in Japan when the Indian PM went there to attend a two-day summit.

The two world leaders were known to share a great camaraderie and rapport.

In 2015, PM Modi, Abe and his wife Akie Abe went to Varanasi for the Ganga Aarti.

In 2017, Shinzo Abe and his wife accompanied PM Modi on a roadshow in an open jeep followed by a grand dinner at the iconic Agashiye terrace restaurant.

It was during this visit that the foundation was laid for India’s first bullet train.

In 2020, PM Modi gave an emotional farewell to Shinzo Abe vacated office as the prime minister of Japan citing ill health.

A year later, Shinzo Abe was honoured with the Padma Vibhushan - India's second-highest civilian award.