Prime Minister Modi meets Shinzo Abe’s wife Akie and recalls ‘personal friendship’ with her late husband

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday met with Akie Abe, wife of the late former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, and fondly recalled his “personal friendship” with him.

In a post on X, he wrote: “Pleased to meet Ms. Abe this afternoon. I recalled my close personal friendship with former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Abe San's belief in the potential of India-Japan relations will remain a source of continued strength for us. I deeply value Ms. Abe's ongoing engagement with India.”

Shinzo Abe was assassinated on July 8, 2022, while campaigning for his party. The defendant targeted Abe because he believed he had ties to the Unification Church, which he detested due to his mother's substantial donations to the sect.

Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar also used X and shared a photo with Akie Abe on his account.

Jaishankar wrote, “Meeting with Ms. Akie Abe this morning brought back many memories of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and his commitment to India-Japan friendship. As our relations continue to evolve, Prime Minister Abe's strategic vision will always guide us.”