With the growing tension between India and Pakistan, the US Ambassador to India, Kenneth I. Juster, who was on a 3-day visit to Assam and Meghalaya, has cut-short his programme, and has rushed back to New Delhi.
Confirming the report, senior Meghalaya Government officials told Northeast Now that they have been informed by the US Embassy officials that Ambassador Juster had to rush back to New Delhi because of “some important works”.
Though the US Embassy has not made any statement on the sudden change of plan of Ambassador Juster, it is perceived that the growing tension between India and Pakistan was the reason why the diplomat had to rush back to New Delhi.
According to protocol officials of the Assam Government, Ambassador Juster took the last evening flight on Tuesday from Guwahati to New Delhi, immediately after his meeting with Assam Governor, Jagdish Mukhi.
As per the schedule, Ambassador Juster was scheduled to leave for Shillong on Wednesday morning. It was his first visit to Assam and Meghalaya.
On his way to the capital city of Meghalaya, the diplomat had plans to visit the North East Police Academy (NEPA) at Barapani. He also had plans to visit some tourist destinations on Wednesday afternoon.
On Thursday, Ambassador Juster had scheduled meetings with Governor Tathagata Roy and Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma. In Ambassador Juster’s absence, the US Consul-General, Patti Hoffman will now visit Meghalaya.