External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar paid a heartfelt visit to Akie Abe, the wife of late former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, in Tokyo on Thursday, marking nearly two years since his passing. During the meeting, Jaishankar presented a personal letter from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Akie Abe, conveying his condolences for the loss of Abe’s mother.
Taking to social media, S Jaishankar shared poignant moments captured with Abe’s wife, expressing, “Being my first visit to Tokyo after the demise of PM Shinzo Abe, met with his wife, Akie Abe. Recalled PM Shinzo Abe’s invaluable contribution to the advancement of Bharat-Japan relations.”
Shinzo Abe’s tragic assassination on July 8, 2022, during an election campaign speech had shaken the nation. The assailant, identified as Tetsuya Yamagami, was apprehended at the scene and charged with murder, along with other offences, including violating gun control laws. Yamagami attributed his actions to Abe’s purported connections to a disliked religious group.
Jaishankar’s Diplomatic Mission in Japan
During his three-day visit to Japan from March 6 to 8, S Jaishankar engaged in significant diplomatic discussions, co-chairing the 16th Bharat-Japan Foreign Ministers Strategic Dialogue in Tokyo alongside his Japanese counterpart Yoko Kamikawa. Both leaders concurred on the imperative need to recalibrate bilateral ties to address evolving geopolitical and geo-economic dynamics. The dialogue delved into ambitious avenues for collaboration, particularly in emerging technologies.
Reflecting on the productive meeting, Jaishankar shared, “A great meeting with Japanese FM Kamikawa_Yoko, as we co-chaired the 16th India-Japan FMs Strategic Dialogue in Tokyo today. Pleased to note the steady progress of our bilateral partnership in different domains. Discussed new and ambitious areas of expansion, including emerging technologies.”
Furthermore, Jaishankar highlighted the balancing role of Indo-Japanese relations in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond. The exchange of perspectives on the international landscape proved insightful, reaffirming the steadfast commitment of India and Japan as partners in navigating towards a multipolar world.
He added, “Also appreciated the stabilising role that our ties can play in the Indo-Pacific and beyond. Our exchange of views on the international situation was very useful. Bharat and Japan will be steadfast partners as we move towards a multipolar world.”
