Japan PM’s Assam Visit Called Off at Last Minute; State Left Without Explanation

In a significant development, the proposed visit of the Prime Minister of Japan to Assam has been cancelled at the last minute, with the state government stating that no detailed reason has been shared for the decision.Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Monday that the cancellation was communicated by India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri to the Assam Chief Secretary at around 10:30 pm. According to the communication, the visit has been called off due to “logistical issues,” and the Japanese Prime Minister’s itinerary will now be limited to New Delhi.“The Foreign Secretary informed that the proposed visit to Assam has been cancelled due to logistical issues. However, the visit to New Delhi will proceed as scheduled. We have also

been assured that the proposed investment summit will take place on a mutually agreed date,” Sarma said while addressing the media.

No Detailed Explanation For Cancelled Visit

The Chief Minister noted that the Ministry of External Affairs has not provided a detailed explanation for the sudden cancellation. He added that the state government would seek further clarity on the matter.“The exact reason behind the cancellation has not been explained to us. I will try to understand the situation when I visit Delhi and meet External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar,” Sarma stated.

Hotel Bookings, Food Arrangements Were Already Done

Describing the development as disappointing, Sarma recalled that a similar visit by the Japanese Prime Minister scheduled in 2019 had also failed to materialise. He pointed out that preparations for the visit had been underway for over a month, with officials from the Japanese Embassy stationed in Guwahati to oversee arrangements.“Hotel bookings, food arrangements, and other logistical preparations had already been finalised. It is a sad moment for us,” he said.Despite the setback, the Assam government remains optimistic about future engagements, particularly the proposed investment summit involving Japanese participation, which is expected to be held at a later date.Sarma also refrained from speculating on the reasons behind the cancellation, stating that a clearer picture would emerge only after official discussions with the concerned authorities.