Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid his tributes to former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at the Nippon Budokan in Tokyo on Tuesday, news agency ANI reported. “When I was in Tokyo earlier this year, little did I imagine I would be back for the solemn programme of former PM Abe’s state funeral. He was a great leader, a phenomenal individual and someone who believed in India-Japan friendship. He shall live on in the hearts of millions!” wrote PM Modi on his Twitter handle.
When I was in Tokyo earlier this year, little did I imagine I would be back for the solemn programme of former PM Abe’s state funeral. He was a great leader, a phenomenal individual and someone who believed in India-Japan friendship. He shall live on in the hearts of millions! pic.twitter.com/VwN5iufP6g
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 27, 2022
Taking to Twitter, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi stated: “A tribute to a great visionary and to his immense contribution in the elevation of the India-Japan partnership.”
PM @narendramodi offering floral tributes. pic.twitter.com/84wgVE5UaI
— Arindam Bagchi (@MEAIndia) September 27, 2022
Abe’s official funeral began earlier today in Tokyo, with numerous foreign leaders in attendance.
PM Modi was spotted at the burial alongside Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, as international leaders descended on Tokyo for the event.
#WATCH | Prime Minister Narendra Modi pays respect to former Japanese PM Shinzo Abe at the latter’s State funeral in Tokyo
“India is missing former Japanese PM Shinzo Abe,” said PM Modi earlier today
(Source: DD) pic.twitter.com/8psvtnEUiA
— ANI (@ANI) September 27, 2022
A vehicle carrying Abe’s cremated remains arrived at the location from his family home, for the first-ever ceremony for a former prime minister in decades, according to Japan’s Kyodo News agency.
According to the source, there is debate in Japan about the burial, which is expected to cost the taxpayer more than USD 11 million, ANI reported.
Akie, Abe’s wife, took his ashes inside the Nippon Budokan Hall in Tokyo today, where hundreds of mourners had assembled.
Japan has implemented strict security measures in Tokyo as delegates from hundreds of nations attended the national burial, including dozens of heads of state and government.
Despite the presence of police, Abe was shot while delivering a public address on July 8 in the city of Nara during a campaign rally.
Abe’s funeral is just the second for a former prime minister since World War II. Shigeru Yoshida received the first award in 1967. Other dead prime ministers were honoured by the Cabinet Office and the Liberal Democratic Party.
The official funeral is the first big public event since stricter police security measures were adopted following Abe’s assassination, including sniffer dogs at train stations and police patrols at Tokyo-area airports.
Prior to the formal burial for Abe, Prime Minister Modi met with his Japanese counterpart, PM Fumio Kishida, whom he characterised as a champion of India-Japan ties and a good friend.
The Prime Minister expressed his heartfelt condolences on the death of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
Prime Minister Modi praised the late Japanese Prime Minister for his efforts to developing the India-Japan friendship and envisioning the goal of a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific region.
“The two leaders had a productive exchange of views on further deepening bilateral relations. They also discussed a number of regional and global issues,” the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement.
The state funeral is the first major public event of the year. Both presidents reaffirmed their commitment to deepening the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership, as well as cooperating in the region and other international organisations.
(With Inputs From ANI)
