Violent protests broke out near Jamia Millia Islamia in Delhi and at the Aligarh Muslim University in Uttar Pradesh; while West Bengal is into deep chaos on Sunday during the agitation over the amended Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) with episodes of arson and plunder reported from the state and the Northeast.
Northeast states have been witnessing turmoil in the wake of protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA). Due to the violent protest, the internet has been shut down, and over 5,000 paramilitary forces have been deployed to control the situation. As of dangerous outcry in the Northeastern state, foreign dignitaries have dropped their trips, and some countries have asked their citizens to avoid travelling in the concerned states.
How CAA has affected the foreign relation:
Shinzo Abe calls off India visit
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s visit to Guwahati was called off in the wake of a stir over the CAA in the Northeastern region. Abe was scheduled to visit India for an annual summit with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi. As per the sources, the summit is now expected to take place next year. However, the cancellation of Abe’s visit will not have any unfavourable impact on strategic ties between the two countries.
Bangladeshi ministers cancelled their tour
Earlier, Bangladeshi Foreign Minister A K Abdul Momen and Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan cancelled their visits to India expecting a protest arising out of the passage of the CAA. The External Affairs Ministry informed Momen has conveyed to India about the postponement of his visit from December 12-14 because of scheduling issues.
The US issues advisory
The United States has temporarily issued a travel advisory for its citizens in the Northeast and suspended all official travel in this area due to the intense protest. The US Embassy in New Delhi has further listed out precautions for its citizens visiting in the northeastern states, urging them to avoid areas with “demonstrations and civil disturbances”, being conscious of their surroundings, and keep a “low profile” among others.
UK’s warning of caution
The UK government updated its travel advisory for India to guide its citizens against travel to the states in the Northeast. In the regular travel advice section regularly updated by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) for all countries, British nationals have been advised to exercise warning to its citizens planning to travel to the region. The UK online advisory proceeds to urge against all journey to Jammu and Kashmir, including tourist destinations of Pahalgam, Gulmarg and Sonamarg, Srinagar and the Jammu-Srinagar national highway.
Other Countries that warned citizens against travelling NE
Countries like Israel, Canada and Singapore also have advised their citizens to exercise caution while travelling to Northeast India where violent protests against the CAA are occurring.
Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) has advised the Singaporeans travellers to “exercise vigilance and caution” while travelling in the northeastern states of India.
Canada has warned its citizens to avoid “non-essential” travel to Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Nagaland due to the protests.
Israel has cautioned its citizens to “completely avoid” going to Assam due to violent protests. For those Israeli citizens currently in Assam are advised to act according to the official instruction.
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