Guwahati: Prime Minister Narendra Modi landed in New Delhi on Wednesday after attending state funeral of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who was assassinated on July 8 in the city of Nara during a campaign address and passed away later that day.
The Prime Minister arrived in Japan on Tuesday morning to attend Abe’s state funeral, acknowledging the late Japanese Prime Minister’s contributions to advancing India-Japan relations and articulating a vision for an open, free, and diverse Indo-Pacific. In a bilateral meeting on Tuesday, PM Modi expressed his sincere condolences for the passing of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to his Japanese colleague Fumio Kishida.
Both heads of state reaffirmed their dedication to advancing the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership and cooperating in the area and with other international organisations.
The state funeral is likely to draw attendees from over 100 nations, including more than 20 heads of state and governments.
Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra stated on Monday that PM Modi has the chance to pay tribute to his close friend and a supporter of India-Japan relations by going to Japan.
“This visit by PM Modi is an opportunity for him to honour the memory of former PM Abe, who he considered a dear friend and a great champion of the India-Japan relationship,” the foreign secretary said while addressing a special briefing.
On July 8 in Nara, a city east of Osaka, Abe was shot as he delivered a speech during an election campaign rally. Abe was brought to the hospital, where at 5:03 p.m. he was declared dead.
Abe’s widow Akie carried his ashes inside the Nippon Budokan Hall in the Japanese capital city where thousands of mourners had gathered during the state funeral ritual.
As officials from hundreds of nations, including dozens of presidents of state and leaders of government, attended the state burial, Japan had implemented strict security measures in Tokyo.
The second state funeral for a former prime minister since World War 2 is Abe’s funeral. Shigeru Yoshida was the recipient of the first one in 1967. Other former prime ministers were honoured with a joint service from the Cabinet Office and the Liberal Democratic Party.
The state burial ceremony is the first significant public gathering since new police security policies went into effect, including sniffer dogs at train stations and increased police patrols at airports in the Tokyo area following Abe’s murder.