NEW DELHI / TOKYO, Sep 26 (Agencies): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday told Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida that under his leadership India-Japan relations would deepen and scale greater heights.
“And I firmly believe that we will be able to play a proper role in solving the problems in the world,” Modi said in his opening remarks before the bilateral meeting that took place before the state funeral of former Japanese PM Shinzo Abe.
While Abe is credited with putting energy in vitalising ties with India, Modi reminded Kishida that he as Foreign Minister also took India-Japan relations to new heights and expanded them in many areas. “And for all this today the people of India remember Abe San very much, miss Japan very much. India is always missing him in a way,” he said.
In remarks made in an emotional vein, the PM said, “After coming to Japan today, I find myself feeling sad. Because the last time I came, I had a very long talk with Abe San. And I never thought that I would have to hear such news after leaving.”
An official readout said they discussed deepening of bilateral relations and a number of regional and global issues. They also resolved to work together in the region and in various international groupings and institutions.
Modi had skipped the Queen’s funeral but has flown to Tokyo on a tight 14- to 16-hour trip to attend the state funeral that has turned controversial in Japan due the high expenses – about Rs 100 crore – as well as due to allegations that Abe did not hold a referendum on overturning Japan’s no-war clause in the Constitution. But an equal number back the state funeral because of the way he was killed and also for bringing stability and security to Japan.
Other 50 serving and former world leaders at the state funeral include US Vice President Kamala Harris, British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly, Australian PM Anthony Albanese and his three predecessors, Singapore PM Lee Hsien Loong, Vietnam President Nguyen Xuan Phuc and European Council President Charles Michel. Canadian PM Justin Trudeau cancelled his plans due to a powerful storm brewing in Canada.
Despite Shinzo Abe’s death, PM Modi confident of deeper ties with Japan
