In Japan, Jaishankar Meets Late PM Shinzo Abe's Wife; Hands Over Personal Letter From PM Modi

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met the wife of Japan’s late Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Friday and recalled his invaluable contributions to the advancement of India-Japan strategic ties. Abe, 67, died on July 8, 2022, after being shot during an election campaign speech in the city of Nara.

Abe was Japan’s longest-serving prime minister, having held office from 2006 to 2007, and then again from 2012 to 2020. “On my visit to Tokyo this time, met with Mrs Akie Abe, wife of late PM Shinzo Abe. Recalled PM Shinzo Abe’s invaluable contribution to the advancement of India-Japan relations,” the minister said on platform X. “Handed over a personal letter from PM Narendra Modi conveying his condolences on the recent passing away of Mrs Yoko Abe, mother of the late PM,” Jaishankar said.

Prime Minister Modi in an emotional note after Abe’s death in 2022 hailed him as an outstanding leader of Japan. Modi said with Abe’s demise, Japan and the world have lost a great visionary and he has lost a dear friend. Abe always gave ”top priority” to strengthening Japan’s strategic ties with India and the late prime minister took landmark initiatives like signing the bilateral civil nuclear deal, a key trade agreement, and convinced New Delhi to join the Quad grouping.

Abe had also cleared hurdles for the India-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IJCEPA), signed on February 16, 2011, and entered into force on August 1, 2011. The IJCEPA is one of the most comprehensive agreements India has concluded with other countries to date. Jaishankar is on a visit to Japan from March 6-8. He earlier visited South Korea and held talks with the country’s leadership.

Jaishankar also met the Secretary-General of Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), Toshimitsu Motegi, here on Friday and held a fruitful conversation on ways to strengthen ties in an uncertain world. Earlier in the day, he spoke at the Nikkei Forum on the India-Japan partnership and stressed that India-Japan ties will draw strength from our larger activities together, including in the Quad grouping.

“Pleased to speak at the Nikkei Forum on India-Japan partnership. India and Japan today are convergent on the big picture and the key concerns. Our inclination and ability to respond in a more coordinated manner have also improved. Our partnership has identified more avenues for increased cooperation as well. Our ties will draw strength from our larger activities together, especially Quad. As the world, the Indo-Pacific and our two countries evolve, in the – relationship lie many solutions for us nationally, for the region and the world,” he said on X.

(With agency inputs)