State mourning across the country on July 9 over the death of Shinzo Abe

Tags: International News

The government has decided to observe a one-day state mourning across the country on July 9 in honour of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. He passed away on 8 July.

• Important facts 

• Prime Minister Modi expressed deep grief over the incident and declared a day of national mourning on 9 July in the country as a mark of deep respect for him.

• On the day of mourning, on all buildings where the National Flag is flown regularly, the National Flag will remain at half-mast.

• Awarded Padma Vibhushan in 2021

• In January 2021, the Indian government honoured Shinzo Abe with the Padma Vibhushan, India's second highest civilian award.

• Abe is considered to have played an important role in better relations between India and Japan.

• Visited India most times while being the PM of Japan

• Shinzo Abe visited India three times during his tenure as Prime Minister.

• He was on official visits to India in January 2014, December 2015 and September 2017.

• No other Prime Minister of Japan has made so many visits to India.

• He was the first Japanese prime minister to be the chief guest at the Republic Day parade in 2014.

• India-Japan relations under Shinzo Abe

• The foundation for the "Global Partnership between Japan and India" was laid in 2001, and the annual bilateral summit was agreed in 2005, with Abe accelerating the pace of relations with India since 2012.

• In August 2007, during his first visit to India as Prime Minister, he delivered the famous "confluence of two seas" speech which laid the foundation for the concept of Indo-Pacific.

• In September 2014, Modi and Abe agreed to upgrade bilateral ties to a "Special Strategic and Global Partnership".

• During Abe's tenure, the two countries decided to hold a meeting of foreign and defence ministers (2+2).

• In November 2019, the first 2+2 meeting was held in New Delhi.

• An agreement for transfer of defence equipment and technology was also signed in 2015.

• During his tenure, India and Japan came closer in the Indo-Pacific.

• Abe had given the concept of Quad in 2007 and it was formed.

• The Quad is a diplomatic network of four countries committed to supporting a free and open Indo-Pacific that is inclusive and resilient.

• During Abe's visit in 2015, India decided to introduce a bullet train.

• Under Abe's leadership, India and Japan formed the Act East Forum and it is important for development in Northeast India.

• Kindly also see 8 July 2022 post