Indian PM Narendra Modi pays floral tribute at Shinzo Abe’s funeral: Watch

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the state funeral of former Japanese leader Shinzo Abe, who was assassinated earlier this year in July. Modi was carrying a small bouquet of flowers and bowed down to pay respect to the former Japanese PM.

“A tribute to a great visionary and to his immense contribution in the elevation of the India-Japan partnership”, a spokesperson for India’s Ministry of External Affairs wrote on social media. A photo of Modi paying a floral tribute was also shared.

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Here is the video:

Modi landed in Tokyo on early Tuesday. Hundreds of other world leaders, diplomats and dignitaries had reached a day before. United States Vice President Kamala Harris also attended the state funeral on Tuesday afternoon.

Before attending the funeral, Modi met with current Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in Tokyo. The two leaders discussed strengthening the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership. Kishida had previously said he would practice “funeral diplomacy” as state leaders visit Japan.

“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 said in a brief statement.

During the bilateral meeting, Prime Minister Modi conveyed his deepest condolences for the demise of Abe and noted his contributions to strengthening the India-Japan partnership as well as conceptualising the vision of a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific region.

Also Read: From Narendra Modi to Kamala Harris, leaders attending Shinzo Abe’s funeral

“I am feeling very sad about the sudden death of former premier Abe… He took Japan-India relations to a greater level and also expanded it in many areas,” Modi, who shared a close friendship with the slain Japanese leader, said.

Former Japan PM Shinzo Abe was fatally shot in July while holding a political rally. He was declared dead after being taken to the hospital. A private funeral was held in Tokyo four days after Abe’s death.