UK PM Boris Johnson will visit India to boost bilateral ties

UK PM Boris Johnson will visit India to boost bilateral ties. 

Boris Johnson, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, will visit India to strengthen bilateral ties later this month. 

The visit coincides with London’s Indo-Pacific pivot, and both sides are discussing a free trade agreement. 

In the fourth week of the month, he will arrive in Delhi. Last November, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and British Prime Minister David Cameron 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 scheduled to be the chief guest at India’s republic day celebrations. 

But was unable to attend due to a covid issue in his country, and again in April when India was in the midst of a pandemic wave. 

Last year, the United Kingdom, as chair of the G7, invited Prime Minister Modi to come. Still, the visit was also canceled owing to the pandemic.

In May 2021, the two presidents met virtually and agreed on a blueprint for 2030. 

The roadmap lays forth a framework for cooperation between the UK and India in health, climate change, trade, education, science and technology, and the military.

The two countries have decided to upgrade their relationship’s status to a ‘Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.’ One of the primary conclusions of the virtual summit is to double trade by 2030. 

It is currently being discussed in trade talks. The trade value between the UK and India is estimated to be over £23 billion per year.

UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss was in Delhi just last month as part of a “broader diplomatic drive” in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. 

Following her visit in October, this was her second journey to the country as Foreign Secretary. Her third was as Secretary of State in 13 months. 

As part of its post-BREXIT Indo-Pacific pivot, the UK will join India’s Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative as a lead partner on maritime security challenges, coordinating work with key Southeast Asian partners.