New Delhi: Tributes for the slain former Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe have poured in from Indian leaders across the political spectrum, with Indian Prime Narendra Modi describing him as a “global statesman” and opposition leader Rahul Gandhi noting that he had left a lasting legacy in the Indo-Pacific region.Abe was shot by a 41-year-old suspect carrying a homemade gun at around 11:30 am on Friday while the former PM was campaigning for a parliamentary election in the western city of Nara. He was rushed to the hospital but could not be saved, as per state broadcaster NHK.Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a day of national mourning on July 9 as a mark of “our deepest respect”.I am shocked and saddened beyond words at the tragic demise of one of my dearest friends, Shinzo Abe. He was a towering global statesman, an outstanding leader, and a remarkable administrator. He dedicated his life to make Japan and the world a better place.— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 8, 2022He posted that he was “shocked and saddened beyond words” at the death of “one of my dearest friends”. “He was a towering global statesman, an outstanding leader, and a remarkable administrator. He dedicated his life to make Japan and the world a better place,” he said.Modi noted that he had known Abe from his tenure as Gujarat chief minister. “His sharp insights on economy and global affairs always made a deep impression on me”.He also tweeted a photograph of his last meeting with Abe, when the Indian PM visited Japan this year.Sharing a picture from my most recent meeting with my dear friend, Shinzo Abe in Tokyo. Always passionate about strengthening India-Japan ties, he had just taken over as the Chairman of the Japan-India Association. pic.twitter.com/Mw2nR1bIGz— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 8, 2022The Indian PM observed that bilateral ties were upgraded to a “Special Strategic and Global Partnership” because of Abe’s immense contribution. “Today, whole India mourns with Japan and we stand in solidarity with our Japanese brothers and sisters in this difficult moment,” Modi tweeted.Later in the day, Modi published a blog post detailing his relationship with Abe, adding he has “lost a dear friend”.In the passing away of Mr. Abe, Japan and the world have lost a great visionary. And, I have lost a dear friend.A tribute to my friend Abe San… https://t.co/DZhPFwShZY— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 8, 2022President Ram Nath Kovind said Abe’s “infectious affability endeared him the world over”. He described the former Japanese prime minister’s death as a tragedy for the whole humanity.I find it difficult to believe that Shinzo Abe is no more. He was a great statesman, & his infectious affability endeared him the world over. That he fell prey to an assassin’s bullet is a tragedy for the whole humanity. My heartfelt condolences to his family and people of Japan.— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) July 8, 2022Indian external affairs minister S. Jaishankar said Abe’s passing marked a sad day not just for Japan and India, but for him personally. “A quarter century of memories of Shinzo Abe. No words to express them,” he tweeted. Jaishankar is in Bali currently for the G20 foreign ministers meeting.A sad day for Japan, for India,the world and for me personally.A quarter century of memories of Shinzo Abe. No words to express them. pic.twitter.com/WYndqFDx0D— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) July 8, 2022According to Manmohan Singh’s media advisor Sanjaya Baru, Jaishankar, a career diplomat who had been posted as the deputy chief of mission in the Indian Embassy in Tokyo from 1996 to 2000, had forseen Abe’s career potential. At his suggestion, Abe’s first meeting with Manmohan Singh took place a few months before he became Japanese prime minister in 2006.“Given [Abe’s] political pedigree and his proximity to the major-domo of Japan’s ruling LDP, Yoshiro Mori, Mr. Abe was seen by Mr. Jaishankar as certain to become Prime Minister one day. Brushing protocol aside Dr. Singh welcomed Mr. Abe for tea,” Baru wrote.In a statement, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs said the nation has felt the “loss of a great friend”. “Today, the whole of India mourns with Japan and we stand in solidarity with our Japanese brothers and sisters in this difficult moment. As a mark of our deepest respect for former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, a one day national mourning shall be observed on 9 July 2022,” it said.The statement observed that Abe was a “visionary leader and statesman, who worked tirelessly for the betterment of humanity”. Recounting his speech in AugustDuring his visit to India in August 2007, Abe delivered his famous ‘The Confluence of Two Seas’ speech in the Indian parliament, the MEA said, adding that his efforts have been “instrumental in bringing our nations together to realize a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific”.That Abe was awarded the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second-highest civilian award, is “testament to the respect and warmth that he enjoyed in India”.Defence minister Rajnath Singh reminisced that he had met Abe during his visit to Japan in 2019. “I found him to be an inspiring leader who had the vision to create a safe and better world. He will always be remembered for his statesmanship,” he tweeted.I met with Mr Abe during my visit to Japan in 2019. I found him to be an inspiring leader who had the vision to create a safe and better world. He will always be remembered for his statesmanship. Our prayers and thoughts are with the bereaved family.— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) July 8, 2022Singh also noted that India had “lost a close friend who assiduously worked towards strengthening the bilateral relations between India and Japan, during his tenure as Prime Minister”.Union minister Kiren Rijiju said that Abe was committed to strong India-Japan ties and expressed his condolences to the family and the people of Japan.Shinzo Abe’s commitment to strong India-Japan 🇮🇳-🇯🇵 friendship was exceptional and his personal bond with PM @narendramodi Ji was well known. I pray for the eternal peace of his departed soul and heartfelt condolences to his family and the loving people of Japan 🙏 pic.twitter.com/RtE7OjxYBT— Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) July 8, 2022Bipartisan tributesAbe, who was the prime minister from 2006-07 and 2012-20, cultivated excellent personal relations with prime ministers, Manmohan Singh and Narendra Modi, reflected in the bipartisan tributes to the Japanese leader.Deeply saddened by the demise of former PM of Japan, Shinzo Abe.His role in strengthening the strategic relationship between India & Japan was commendable. He leaves behind a lasting legacy in the Indo-Pacific.My condolences to his family & to the people of Japan.— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) July 8, 2022Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said that he was “deeply saddened” by the demise of Abe. “His role in strengthening the strategic relationship between India & Japan was commendable. He leaves behind a lasting legacy in the Indo-Pacific”.Our deepest condolences on the demise of former Prime Minister of Japan, Shinzo Abe.He played a key role in strengthening Indo-Japanese ties.We stand in solidarity with the people of Japan during this time of sorrow. pic.twitter.com/3Gqzm5PnQL— Congress (@INCIndia) July 8, 2022The main opposition party, Congress, also tweeted condolences and highlighted Abe’s role in strengthening bilateral ties. “We stand in solidarity with the people of Japan during this time of sorrow”.Former Andhra Pradesh chief minister N. Chandrababu Naidu described Abe as a true statesman and a global leader, saying he shaped Japan’s destiny.Deeply saddened by the passing away of Shinzo Abe. A true statesman & a global leader, he shaped the destiny of his country. A friend of Andhra Pradesh, he believed in our dreams & shared our vision for state’s future. Heartfelt condolences to his family & the people of Japan. pic.twitter.com/jCg9KKeqB0— N Chandrababu Naidu (@ncbn) July 8, 2022Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar said Abe worked for the peace and development of Japan and the world, expressing shock at his killing.Deeply saddened by the shocking news of passing away of Former Prime Minister of Japan Mr Shinzo Abe. The world has lost a great leader and a noble statesman who worked for the peace and development of Japan as well as the globe. May his soul rest in eternal peace.— Sharad Pawar (@PawarSpeaks) July 8, 2022Shinzo Abe at the inauguration of the India-Japan Cultural Centre at Kolkata, August 23, 2007. West Bengal CM Buddhadeb Bhattacharya and others are also seen. Photo: Prime Minister’s Office, GODL-IndiaThen Union finance minister P. Chidambaram meets Shinzo Abe in Japan, 2013. Photo: Ministry of Finance, GODL-IndiaThen prime minister Manmohan Singh meets Shinzo Abe, at the India-Japan Summit Meeting, in Tokyo, Japan, May 29, 2013. Photo: PMO, GODL-IndiaShinzo Abe, the chief guest of the 2014 Republic Day, and his wife Akie Abe with Indian President Pranab Mukherjee, Vice President Hamid Ansari and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi, January 26, 2014. Photo: GODL-IndiaThe Union defence minister Manohar Parrikar meets Shinzo Abe, in Japan, March 30, 2015. Photo: GODL-IndiaNarendra Modi and Shinzo Abe in October 2018. Photo: 内閣官房内閣広報室/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0