New Delhi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that he is "deeply distressed" over the attack on former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and conveyed his prayers to his family.

"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," PM Modi tweeted.

Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Abe in May during Quad Summit in Tokyo.

Japan's leading news agency Kyodo News citing local authorities reported that Abe was unconscious and appeared to be showing no vital signs. He has been rushed to the hospital where he is reported to be in "cardiopulmonary arrest."

Abe, Japan's longest-serving prime minister, stepped down in 2020 citing health reasons. He was prime minister of Japan twice, from 2006-07 and again from 2012-20. He was succeeded by Yoshihide Suga and later by Fumio Kishida.

Shinzo Abe shares a deep bond of friendship with Prime Minister Narendra Modi which was quite evident in the meeting between both leaders in the month of May. The meeting illustrated the huge goodwill and personal chemistry of PM Modi with the former Japanese PM.

He has visited India several times as prime minister. During his tour in 2007, Abe quoted Mughal Prince Dara Shikoh in the Indian Parliament highlighting the link between the Indian and the Pacific Ocean.

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In 2014, Abe was the chief guest at the 65th Republic Day parade, becoming the first premier of Japan to grace the occasion.