New Delhi: The annual summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe scheduled from December 15-17 in Guwahati has been cancelled in the wake of massive protests rocking the Assam capital city over the amended citizenship law.
External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said both India and Japan have decided to “defer” Abe’s visit for the summit to a mutually convenient date.
“With reference to the proposed visit of Japanese PM Abe to India, both sides have decided to defer the visit to a mutually convenient date in the near future,” he said in response to a query on the summit.
Diplomatic sources said the Japanese government has clearly conveyed to New Delhi that it would not be possible for Abe to travel to Guwahati in view of large scale protests in the northeastern city.
They said the summit is now expected to take place next year. Asked whether an alternative venue was considered, sources said the option was not explored as hosting a leadership-level summit involves long preparations.
Sources said a Japanese team visited Guwahati on Wednesday to take stock of the preparations following which Tokyo clearly conveyed to the MEA that Abe’s visit cannot go ahead under current circumstances. The summit is held in India and Japan in turn. (PTI)
