Prime Minister Narendra Modi has condemned this morning’s attack on former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who, together with the Indian Premier, laid the foundation of a new strategic partnership between New Delhi and Tokyo.
“PM Modi condemns attack on Shinzo Abe, Japan’s longest serving premier Abe was shot during a campaign speech in Nara city He was said to have suffered from a cardiac arrest after the attack Modi said: "Deeply Distressed By Attack On My Dear Friend Shinzo Abe"
#PMModi condemns attack on #ShinzoAbe, Japan’s longest serving premier
Abe was shot during a campaign speech in Nara city
He was said to have suffered from a cardiac arrest after the attack
Modi said:
"Deeply Distressed By Attack On My Dear Friend Shinzo Abe"#IndiaNarrative pic.twitter.com/kZhELKXyVV— INDIA NARRATIVE (@india_narrative) July 8, 2022
Abe was attacked during a campaign trail, while making a street speech. He has been shifted by helicopter to the hospital. Japan’s Upper House elections are scheduled for Sunday. Abe was scheduled to visit Nara, Kyoto, and Saitama prefectures on Friday to campaign for Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) candidates.
Abe was rushed to a hospital in Nara Prefecture by helicopter and was reportedly in cardiac arrest.
The Nara Prefectural Police have arrested a 41-year-old man, a resident of the city, on suspicion of attempted murder. Nikkei Asia is quoting officials from LDP that the former prime minister was attacked from behind.
In India, Abe is fondly remembered as the architect of Japan’s deep strategic relations with New Delhi, which he personally marshalled with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Abe is also credited with ideating the free and open Indo-Pacific concept, which he first aired during an address to the Indian parliament. Abe has been a firm supporter of the Indo-Pacific Quad which includes Japan, India, the United States and Australia.
Along with Modi, Abe detailed a vision document that would guide India-Japan relations to be a factor of stability in the Indo-Pacific and beyond. The 2015 Joint Statement following Abe’s visit to India is titled: India and Japan Vision 2025: Special Strategic and Global Partnership Working Together for Peace and Prosperity of the Indo-Pacific Region and the World
In 2018, another India-Japan vision statement was inked during PM Modi’s visit to Japan. India has honoured Abe with the Padma Vibhushan award, a rare honour for a foreign dignitary.
