Abe was 'great friend' of India: Odisha CM

Describing Shinzo Abe as a ''great friend of India'', Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Friday expressed deep sorrow over the assasination of the former Japanese prime minister.

He prayed for the wellbeing of Abe's family and the people of Japan.

Taking to Twitter, Patnaik said: “Deeply saddened to know about the assassination of former Japanese PM Shinzo Abe. He was a great friend of India & played a key role in strengthening the Indo-Japan bond.” ''My thoughts & prayers are with the bereaved family members & Japanese people in this hour of grief.” Abe, 67, was shot from behind minutes after he started an election campaign speech at Nara in Japan. He was airlifted to a hospital for emergency treatment but was not breathing and his heart had stopped. He was later pronounced dead.