TOKYO: Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi paid his heartfelt tribute to former Japan Premier Shinzo Abe at the latter's state funeral in Tokyo today.
PM Narendra Modi remembered the contributions of Shinzo Abe in cementing the ties between India and Japan. He also said in his funeral speech that the late Japanese premier was one of his close friends and apart from professional ties, the two of them shared personal ties too because of which Abe's death has been a personal loss to him.
PM Modi also added, "Last time I visited Japan, Abe and I had a very long conversation, and today when he is not here not only me but India misses Shinzo Abe and praying for his departed soul".
Speaking about India-Japan relations in Shinzo Abe's tenure, PM Modi said, "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 present Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida thanked the Indian Prime Minister for coming all the way from India to attend Shinzo Abe's funeral and said that India and Japan are not only good friends but both countries need each other to grow to newer heights.
Notably, former Japanese Premier Shinzo Abe was shot dead on July 8 this year while he was giving a political campaign speech in the Japanese city of Nara. He served eight years as Japanese Premier from 2012 to 2020.
Shinzo Abe's contribution towards strengthening of Indo-Japan relations was given due recognition as the Indian government bestowed the second highest civilian honor Padma Vibhushan on Abe in 2021.
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