Shinzo Abe was an outstanding leader, remarkable administrator: PM Modi

New Delhi, July 8

President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi led condolences following the shock demise of former Japanese premier Shinzo Abe on Friday with both describing the late leader as a great friend of India.

PM Modi declared a national mourning on Saturday in remembrance of Abe.

Took ties to new heights

During my tenure as Prime Minister, we worked to raise both our countries’ relations to the level of a global and strategic partnership. Our efforts elevated India-Japan relations to a qualitatively new level. Manmohan Singh, former PM

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Fond memories

He did much to expand and deepen the bilateral relationship between our two countries. I recall my meeting with him very fondly and vividly. Sonia Gandhi, Congress Chief

President Kovind said it was difficult to believe that Abe was no more. “He was a great statesman and his infectious affability endeared him the world over. That he fell prey to an assassin’s bullet is a tragedy for the whole of humanity. My heartfelt condolences to his family and people of Japan,” said the President.

The PM tweeted, “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.”

Former PM Manmohan Singh in a condolence letter to Japanese Ambassador Satoshi Suzuki noted that during his tenure, they both worked together to raise ties between the two countries to the level of global and strategic partnership.

Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi hailed Abe’s role in strengthening the strategic relationship between India and Japan was commendable.