New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday expressed sadness over the death of former Japanese parliament speaker Nobutaka Machimura, calling him "a friend of India".
"Saddened at the passing away of Nobutaka Machimura... He was a friend of India," Modi said in a statement.
He said Machimura was chairman of the India-Japan Parliamentary Friendship League and worked extensively towards strong India-Japan ties.
"I have fond memories of meeting Machimura in Tokyo during my last visit. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family," Modi added.