Also Read: Former Japan's PM Shinzo Abe dead. 5 points
On July 8, Abe was shot and killed while attending a campaign event. In addition to promoting a vision for an open and free Indo-Pacific region, Japan's longest-serving prime minister played a pioneering role in the creation of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD), which brings together Australia, India, Japan and the US.
It is great that PM Modi would be able to go despite his busy schedule and attend the state funeral because Japan is a friendly nation and an essential partner, according to external affairs ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi. Modi had a “personal connect" with the former Japanese prime minister, Bagchi added.
Also Read: Shinzo Abe assassination stirs surprise backlash against the former leader
Following Abe's murder in July, information came to light about connections between politicians in the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), the party in power that he formerly led, and the Unification Church, which some have referred to as a cult.
By expressing regret and promising to cut off the LDP's ties to the church, which was established in South Korea in the 1950s and is well-known for its large-scale weddings and aggressive fundraising, Kishida has attempted to contain the damage. However, the consequences for the party and his administration have been severe.
Also Read: Why Shinzo Abe's state funeral has become lightning rod for public anger
Abe's alleged killer said that the church had caused his family to suffer. Before the murder, he accused Abe of aiding the group in social media posts.
To honour Abe, India announced a day of national mourning. In a message released soon after the Japanese leader's death, Modi characterised Abe as “a towering global statesman, an outstanding leader, and a remarkable administrator".
