April 5, 2022
3 mins read

Boris to visit India

The visit, which is expected around April 22, is long overdue after Johnson was forced to cancel planned visits to India twice last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic…reports Asian Lite News

Prime Minister Boris Johnson is planning a visit to India towards the end of this month with a focus on strengthening bilateral ties against the backdrop of the ongoing India-UK Free Trade Agreement negotiations, according to official sources.

The visit, which is expected around April 22, is long overdue after Johnson was forced to cancel planned visits to India twice last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

While Downing Street is yet to confirm any details, an in-person meeting was discussed during a phone call between Johnson and Prime Minister Narendra Modi last month.

The leaders welcomed India and the UK’s strong and prosperous relationship, and agreed to continue to build on trade, security and business ties in the coming weeks and months. They looked forward to meeting in-person at the earliest opportunity, a Downing Street spokesperson said in a readout of the call on March 22.

Last week, Downing Street sources said that Johnson was very keen to visit India for talks with his Indian counterpart Modi, though firm plans are yet to be fully drawn up.

The two leaders last met in-person on the sidelines of the COP26 Climate Summit in Glasgow in November last year, when their bilateral talks during the World Leaders’ Summit focussed on the India-UK climate partnership as well as a review of the 2030 Roadmap which they had signed during a virtual summit in May 2021.

The Roadmap, which aims to at least double bilateral trade between India and the UK by 2030, is part of Britain’s so-called Indo-Pacific foreign policy tilt.

A trade deal with India’s booming economy offers huge benefits for British businesses, workers and consumers, Johnson said at the formal launch of Free Trade Agreement (FTA) talks earlier this year.

The UK has world-class businesses and expertise we can rightly be proud of, from Scotch whisky distillers to financial services and cutting-edge renewable technology.

“We are seizing the opportunities offered in growing economies of the Indo-Pacific to cement our place on the global stage and deliver jobs and growth at home,” he said in January.

The conflict in Ukraine and the UK’s leading role in imposing stringent sanctions against Russian President Vladimir Putin’s regime is also likely to feature strongly during talks between Johnson and Modi.

It will follow UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss’ visit to Delhi last week, when she held talks with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and also joined him at the first India-UK Strategic Futures Forum.

On Ukraine, India reiterated that the immediate cessation of violence and return to dialogue and diplomacy is the key to long term peace in the region, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said with reference to the ministerial talks.

Both sides appreciated the substantial progress made in the India-UK FTA negotiations with two productive rounds already completed since their launch in January 2022, it noted.

The third round of India-UK FTA talks, scheduled to be hosted by India later this month, is likely to be timed around the prime ministerial visit.

ALSO READ-Boris, Xi hold phone call over Ukraine

Previous Story

Modi, Bennett discuss Ukraine

Next Story

Lanka’s ruling coalition loses majority

Latest from -Top News

India Powers Mauritius with E-Buses

It marked a major milestone, strengthening the green partnership under the development cooperation of both nations…reports Asian Lite News Indian High Commissioner Anurag Srivastava handed over the first batch of 10 electric

Finally, the vote is coming

Bangladesh sets February 2026 for historic general election, as Muhammad Yunus unveils sweeping reform agenda on uprising anniversary, pledging inclusive democracy and youth-driven political renewal. Bangladesh’s interim Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has

WFP’s $540m SOS for Afghanistan

Facing a deadly hunger crisis and climate shocks, Afghanistan pleads for urgent global aid as droughts, economic collapse and mass migration leave millions on the edge. Afghanistan is on the brink of

Never again: Hiroshima’s haunting plea at 80

Eighty years after the world’s first nuclear attack, Hiroshima honours its dead and urges global leaders to disarm before history repeats its most devastating lesson….reports Asian Lite News Thousands gathered at Hiroshima’s

India, New Zealand get tactical!

India and New Zealand launch their first Defence Strategic Dialogue in Delhi, opening a new chapter in military cooperation, maritime security, and Indo-Pacific coordination….reports Asian Lite News In a landmark step for
Go toTop