Deeply distressed by attack on my dear friend Shinzo Abe: PM Modi

Japan's former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was shot during a campaign event on Friday in western Japan.

Reacting over the attack, Prime Minsiter Narendra Modi tweeted, “Deeply distressed by the attack on my dear friend Abe Shinzo. Our thoughts and prayers are with him, his family, and the people of Japan”

Reactions from around the world

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that US was "deeply concerned" by the shooting, while Rahm Emanuel, US Ambassador to Japan, called Abe "an outstanding leader of Japan and unwavering ally of the United States."

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese tweeted "our thoughts are with his family and the people of Japan at this time."

Taiwan leader, Tsai Ing-wen, called Abe "a staunch friend of Taiwan's."

"He has supported Taiwan for many years and spared no effort to promote the progress of Taiwan-Japan relations," she said in Facebook post.

Australian PM Anthony Albanese tweeted, "Shocking news from Japan that former PM Shinzo Abe has been shot - our thoughts are with his family and the people of Japan at this time."