India will observe a day of mourning for former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on July 9 even as PM Modi, former PM Manmohan Singh and leaders across the political spectrum condoled the loss of a leader, who gave India-Japan ties a new energy during his tenure. As news of Mr. Abe being shot came in, PM Modi and the former Prime Minister and senior Congress leader issued statements praying for his health, and as his death was confirmed a few hours later at the Medical University Hospital in Nara, many joined in to condole his death.
In 2021, the government awarded Mr. Abe the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second highest civilian honour.
“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,” Mr. Modi said in a tweet.
