Japanese PM Shinzo Abe was assassinated in Nara in Japan when he was campaigning for the ruling Liberal Democratic Party on Friday

In a rare show of solidarity, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, US President Joe Biden, and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese paid their heartfelt tribute to ex-Japanese PM Shinzo Abe who was assassinated in Nara in Japan when he was campaigning for the ruling Liberal Democratic Party.

“We, the leaders of Australia, India, and the United States, are shocked at the tragic assassination of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Prime Minister Abe was a transformative leader for Japan and for Japanese relations with each one of our countries. He also played a formative role in the founding of the Quad partnership, and worked tirelessly to advance a shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific,” a Joint Statement issued by the leaders of India, Australia and the US, said.

“Our hearts are with the people of Japan — and Prime Minister Kishida— in this moment of grief. We will honour Prime Minister Abe’s memory by redoubling our work towards a peaceful and prosperous region,” the Joint Statement added.

The 67-year-old former Japanese PM Abe, passed away on Friday morning after being shot while making a speech during a campaign in the city of Nara in the southern part of the country. He was crucial in determining the general outline of the alliance known as the Quad or Quadrilateral.

Abe also played a significant role in enhancing the alliance between India and Japan and that's why PM Modi considered him “India's dear friend."