Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Akie Abe, wife of late Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, in New Delhi on Thursday, 8 October 2026, expressing deep appreciation for her continued association with India and paying tribute to the enduring legacy of her husband in strengthening bilateral relations.

Modi Calls Abe a 'Visionary Leader'

Prime Minister Modi described Shinzo Abe as a 'dear friend' and a 'visionary leader' who played a defining role in elevating India-Japan relations to new heights. Sharing his sentiments publicly, Modi posted on X: 'Pleased to meet Mrs. Akie Abe, wife of late former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Deeply value her enduring association with India. Abe San was a dear friend and a visionary leader who played a defining role in elevating India-Japan relations to new heights.'

He further added in his post: 'The inauguration of the Abe Memorial Corridor at the Rudraksh Convention Centre in Varanasi yesterday is a fitting tribute to his lasting contribution to India-Japan friendship.'

Abe Memorial Corridor Inaugurated in Varanasi

The Abe Memorial Corridor — a dedicated memorial site celebrating India-Japan friendship and cultural ties — was formally inaugurated at the Rudraksh Convention Centre in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh on Wednesday, 7 October 2026. The ceremony was attended by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Akie Abe herself.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath described the corridor as a 'living symbol' of Abe's contributions to the historical, cultural, and diplomatic relationship between the two nations. Posting on X, Adityanath wrote: 'This Memorial Corridor is a living symbol of Mr. Shinzo Abe's contributions to strengthening the historical, cultural, and diplomatic relations between India and Japan. On behalf of the Hon'ble Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi and 140 crore Indians, humble tributes to him.'

Abe's Role in Elevating India-Japan Partnership

Late Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was widely credited with elevating bilateral ties to the level of a Special Strategic and Global Partnership — one of Japan's most significant diplomatic designations. His personal rapport with Prime Minister Modi ran deep, dating back to Modi's long tenure as Gujarat Chief Minister, well before his ascent to the national stage.

This longstanding personal connection infused their joint diplomatic engagements with a degree of warmth and strategic ambition rarely seen in bilateral frameworks. Abe was a consistent advocate for deeper India-Japan economic, defence, and cultural engagement at international forums including the Quad.

India Mourned Abe's Assassination in 2022

Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was shot and killed on 8 July 2022 while delivering a campaign speech in Nara, Japan. India declared a one-day national mourning as a mark of respect — a rare honour extended to a foreign leader.

Prime Minister Modi attended Abe's state funeral and, in an emotional tribute, called him a 'towering global statesman, an outstanding leader, and a remarkable administrator' who devoted his life to making Japan and the world a better place. Modi described the loss as that of 'one of his dearest friends.'

What the Memorial Signals Going Forward

The establishment of a permanent memorial corridor in Varanasi — a city of immense spiritual and cultural significance in India — underscores the depth of the India-Japan relationship that Abe helped forge. The choice of the Rudraksh Convention Centre, itself a symbol of cultural diplomacy, adds further resonance to the tribute. Observers note that the memorial is also a soft-power signal to Tokyo, reinforcing continuity in bilateral warmth even as Japan's leadership has changed. The long-term trajectory of India-Japan ties, shaped substantially by Abe's decade-long vision, will be closely watched as both nations navigate an evolving Indo-Pacific order.