Amid Intense Anti-CAB Protest, Japan PM Shinzo Abe Likely To Cancel India Visit

Amid intense protest against Modi government’s contentious Citizenship Amendment Bill, Japan PM Shinzo Abe is likely to cancel his upcoming India visit, Japan’s Jiji Press reported. “The Japanese and the Indian governments continue to explore the last possibility,” the report said. Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was slated to hold annual summit with his Japanese counterpart between December 12-17 in Guwahati.

Thousands of protestors took to roads following the passage of Citizenship Amendment Bill forcing the govt to impose curfew in the region. The violent protests against CAB in Assam has put Indo-Japan annual summit in limbo. The protesters vandalised posters of the India-Japan summit and set aflame the makeshift stage that had been constructed for the event in Guwahati, say reports.

Earlier, MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar responding to the query regarding Abe’s India visit had said, “We don't have any update to share."

As per reports, a Japanese team visited Guwahati on Wednesday to take stock of the preparations.

As per latest updates, At least two persons died due to bullet injuries on Thursday after police opened fire on protesters in Guwahati. On Wednesday, protesters pulled down hoardings erected in central Guwahati to welcome Abe. 

(With PTI inputs)