Portrait of Shinzō Abe
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Shinzō Abe on Narendra Modi

Close ally and friend (strong)

TL;DR

Shinzō Abe viewed Narendra Modi as a close friend and key partner for strengthening the India-Japan strategic relationship.

Key Points

  • The former Prime Minister congratulated Narendra Modi on his election victory in a telephonic conversation on May 23, 2019.

  • Abe was one of only three people Prime Minister Modi followed on Twitter before Modi became Prime Minister.

  • During a 2015 exchange, Abe expressed deep appreciation for Indian people's solidarity regarding the Hiroshima bombings and affirmed working together for world peace.

Summary

Shinzō Abe established a relationship with Narendra Modi that was characterized by mutual respect and a shared strategic vision, particularly concerning the Indo-Pacific region. This bond dated back to when Modi was Chief Minister of Gujarat, and Abe was one of the first people Modi followed on Twitter. Abe explicitly sought to upgrade the Japan-India strategic relationship, which materialized into a "Special Strategic And Global Partnership" under their combined leadership. Their alignment was driven in part by a shared strategic concern regarding China’s growing ambitions, with Abe seeing India as a vital counterweight in the Indo-Pacific, aligning Japan's strategy with India's Act East policy.

The closeness between the two leaders led to tangible outcomes, such as India agreeing to purchase Shinkansen technology from Japan and Japan achieving full partner status in the Malabar naval exercises. Abe admired Indian culture, evidenced by his support for providing a loan for the re-establishment of Nalanda University. Following Abe's assassination, Prime Minister Modi expressed deep personal loss, calling Abe a "dear friend" and a "great visionary," highlighting the strong personal connection alongside the diplomatic one.

Frequently Asked Questions

Shinzō Abe held a highly positive view of Narendra Modi, considering him a close personal friend and a critical strategic partner. He actively worked with Modi to elevate the relationship between Japan and India to a 'Special Strategic And Global Partnership'. This relationship was founded on shared democratic values and a mutual vision for the Indo-Pacific.

Yes, their relationship was reported to be exceptionally close, extending beyond formal diplomacy to personal friendship. Their bond was evident in their mutual admiration and shared strategic outlook, which translated into significant bilateral agreements. Prime Minister Modi later referred to the late Abe as a 'dear friend' after his assassination.

Abe pursued several concrete steps, including elevating Japan's partnership status in the Malabar naval exercises with India and signing deals for India to acquire Shinkansen technology. He also supported the re-establishment of Nalanda University, demonstrating a commitment that went beyond standard geopolitical cooperation.

Sources6

* This is not an exhaustive list of sources.