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On Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced state mourning to be held on July 9 following the death of former Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe. Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the former Japanese PM as a global statesman who made an immense contribution to elevating bilateral ties.

Abe, 67, died in hospital five and a hours after he was shot while making an election campaign speech in Nara city. Police arrested Tetsuya Yamagami, a former member of Japan’s Maritime Self-Defense Force, for shooting the former premier. “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,” Modi’s tweet reads.

According to Modi, Abe made an immense contribution to elevating India-Japan relations to the level of a Special Strategic and Global Partnership while adding that the whole of India mourns with Japan. He further added that India stands with their 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,” Modi said. 

As part of mourning, the national flag will be at half-mast on all buildings across India for the day of mourning across the country, and there will be no official entertainment. Narendra Modi recalling his last meeting with Abe during a recent visit to Japan to attend a summit of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue/Quad shared a photo of the meeting in Tokyo.He further added that Abe, who had just taken over as chairman of the Japan-India Association, was always passionate about strengthening bilateral ties.

“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,” Modi said. When Modi visited Japan in October 2018 for the annual summit of the leaders of the two countries, Abe had hosted him for a private dinner at his holiday home as a special gesture.

External affairs minister S Jaishankar, who was attending a meeting of G20 foreign ministers in Indonesia, said he was deeply shocked by the news. Jaishankar, who served as deputy chief of mission at the Indian embassy in Tokyo during 1996-2000, tweeted: “A sad day for Japan, for India, the world, and for me personally. A quarter-century of memories of Shinzo Abe. No words to express them.” Vice president M Venkaiah Naidu and Union minister Hardeep Puri  expressed their condolences at the death of Abe and recalled his crucial role in strengthening bilateral ties. 

Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said he was extremely saddened by the death of the former Japanese PM Abe and recalled his commendable role in strengthening the strategic relationship. “He leaves behind a lasting legacy in the Indo-Pacific,” Gandhi said. It was Abe’s leadership which allowed Tokyo to expand the ambit of its ties with New Delhi. His relationship with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and their convergent worldviews allowed India–Japan ties to touch new heights in recent years