Prime Minister Narendra Modi will leave for Japan today to attend the state funeral of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
According to the foreign secretary Vinay Kwatra, Modi will attend the state funeral ceremony at Budokan which would be followed by a greeting occasion at Akasaka Palace in Tokyo.
Kwatra added that Modi will also meet PM Fumio Kishida and Mrs Abe during the visit. "We understand that representatives from over 100 countries, including more than 20 heads of state and heads of government, are expected to participate in the funeral, Kwatra told ANI News.
The foreign secretary said the visit by the Prime Minister will be an opportunity for him to honour the memory of Abe, who he considered a dear friend and a great champion of India-Japan relationship.
Abe was shot dead while making a campaign speech three months ago.
Modi had earlier paid tributes to Abe, calling him "close friend." The Prime Minister said Abe will live in the hearts of the people for years because of his contribution to India's growth story.
Calling him towering global statesman, an outstanding leader, and a remarkable administrator, Modi recollected his association with the leader. "My association with Mr. Abe goes back many years. I had got to know him during my tenure as Gujarat CM and our friendship continued after I became PM. His sharp insights on economy and global affairs always made a deep impression on me," Modi had said.
Besides working for an open and free Indo-Pacific region, Abe was also instrumental in the creation of Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad), which brings together Australia, India, Japan and the US.
The state funeral will take place on Tuesday and is expected to be attended by representatives from around 100 countries. Besides Modi, US vice president Kamala Harris and British foreign secretary James Cleverly will be among foreign dignitaries arriving in Japan for the funeral.
