Shinzo Abe's visit to India postponed amid rising violence in Assam

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s visit to India which was scheduled to begin on Sunday (December 15) has been postponed.

“Both sides have decided to defer the visit to a mutually convenient date in the near future,” the foreign ministry said.

With reference to the proposed visit of Japanese PM @AbeShinzo to India, both sides have decided to defer the visit to a mutually convenient date in the near future.

— Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) December 13, 2019

Japanese news agency Jiji Press had earlier reported that he was considering canceling the trip to India, keeping in considerations the violent protests in Assam and Tripura over the new citizenship law approved by Parliament.

Guwahati which was the designated avenue for the summit too has been simmering with violence with internet cut off and curfew imposed.

On Thursday, Bangladesh Foreign Minister Abdul Momen canceled his three-day visit to India, a day after he termed as “untrue” Home Minister Amit Shah’s comments on the persecution of religious minorities in Bangladesh.

External Affairs Ministry said Momen has conveyed to India about the postponement of his visit from December 12-14 due to scheduling issues and asserted that Shah referred to religious persecution in Bangladesh during the military rule and not under the current government.

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Since the past three days, angry protests have erupted in Assam with thousands clashing with police amid concerns the new laws may lead to an influx of migrants from neighboring Bangladesh.

At least two persons died due to bullet injuries on Thursday (December 12) after police opened fire on protesters in Guwahati. On Wednesday, protesters pulled down hoardings erected in central Guwahati to welcome Abe.

(With input from agencies.)