Japanese Prime Minister Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is considering cancelling his trip to India, in light of protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill in the country, Reuters quoted Japan's Jiji Press. Abe was set to visit India from December 15 to 17 to participate in the Indian-Japan annual summit, which is held alternately in India and Japan. The talks would be held in Guwahati—currently the epicentre of protests—with a visit to Imphal too.
Assam has been witnessing massive protests in the last two days with thousands of people hitting the streets defying prohibitory orders to demand scrapping of the bill. 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.
Asked whether the government is contemplating shifting the venue, Kumar said: "I am not in a position to clarify on it. I have no updates to offer." Sources told PTI that a Japanese team visited Guwahati on Wednesday to take stock of the preparations.
Reflecting growing congruence in bilateral ties, the two countries held their inaugural foreign and defence ministerial dialogue two weeks back which prepared the ground for the Modi-Abe summit.
The Indo-Japan defence and foreign ministerial dialogue took place following a decision taken by Modi and Abe during last year's annual summit.
