Sun 17 April 2022:
Boris Johnson, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, will begin his tour to India next week in the western state of Gujarat. The Prime Minister will visit India for two days on April 21 and 22.
Johnson arrives in Gujarat on Thursday (April 21), when he is anticipated to announce a big investment in key sectors. He will meet with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi on Friday.
Gujarat is PM Modi’s home state, and it is the ancestral home of about half of the British-Indian community in the UK, due to strong diaspora ties.
It is unusual for a visiting head of state or government to begin their visit outside of New Delhi and demonstrate an interest in London.
Ahead of his visit, UK PM said, “India, as a major economic power and the world’s largest democracy, is a highly valued strategic partner for the UK in these uncertain times.”
He is the first European head of government to visit India since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, something that will dominate the agenda. Johnson was on a secret visit to Ukraine during which he met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and reaffirmed strong support.
Johnson in his remarks on the visit to India said, “As we face threats to our peace and prosperity from autocratic states, it is vital that democracies and friends stick together”.
The UK has been trying to persuade India to reduce its reliance on Moscow since Russia invaded Ukraine.
Just last month, UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss was in Delhi as part of a “wider diplomatic push” amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Trade, UK’s Indo Pacific tilt are other key focus areas during the visit. India and UK have had two rounds of talks on the free trade agreement, the third will start later this month.
The UK PM pointed out, “My visit to India will deliver on the things that really matter to the people of both our nations – from job creation and economic growth to energy security and defence.”
India has been identified as a priority relationship for the UK in the 2021 Integrated Review and was invited as a guest to last year’s G7 in Carbis Bay.
Johnson is making his first trip to India as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. Last November, Indian Prime Minister Modi and British Prime Minister Johnson met on the sidelines of the Glasgow Climate Summit.
The UK Prime Minister’s visit to India was postponed twice last year. First, in January, when he was supposed to be the chief guest at India’s Republic Day celebrations, but it was canceled because to the COVID-19 crisis in his country, and again in April, when India was in the midst of a pandemic wave.
SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES
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