Jaishankar meets late Japan PM Shinzo Abe's widow Akie, hands over personal letter from PM Modi

NEW DELHI: External affairs minister S Jaishankar on Friday met with Akie Abe, widow of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and handed over a personal letter from PM Narendra Modi, offering his condolences on the passing of Yoko Abe, the late PM's mother.

Abe, aged 67, tragically passed away on July 8, 2022, after being shot during a campaign speech in Nara, Japan. Jaishankar, who is currently visiting Tokyo, expressed his appreciation for Abe's significant contributions to strengthening the India-Japan relationship.


"During my visit, I had the privilege of meeting Mrs Akie Abe, the wife of the late PM Shinzo Abe. I expressed my gratitude for PM Shinzo Abe's invaluable efforts in advancing our bilateral ties," Jaishankar tweeted.


Abe, the longest-serving PM of Japan, held office from 2006 to 2007 and again from 2012 to 2020. PM Modi, in a heartfelt tribute, described Abe as an exceptional leader. Modi noted that with Abe's untimely demise, Japan and the world have lost a visionary, and he himself lost a dear friend.


Abe consistently prioritised strengthening strategic relations with India and played a pivotal role in significant initiatives such as the bilateral civil nuclear deal, a crucial trade agreement, and the formation of the Quad grouping.


Moreover, Abe facilitated the India-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IJCEPA), signed on February 16, 2011, and which came into effect on August 1, 2011. The IJCEPA remains one of India's most comprehensive agreements to date, cementing the economic ties between the two nations.




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