BoJo visit for greater role in Indo-Pacific

Even as Russia has banned his entry, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will land in Ahmedabad next week to become the first UK PM to visit Gujarat while on a 2-day visit to India for ‘in-depth talks’ with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi, as per Downing Street.

Johnson’s first visit to India as PM begins on April 21 with a trip to Ahmedabad in Gujarat, PM Modi’s home state. Investment announcements in key industries in both the UK and India will take place, Downing Street said. Johnson will then proceed to Delhi to meet Modi on April 22, where the focus will be on India-UK strategic defence, diplomatic and economic partnership. According to officials on both sides, Johnson will also use his India visit to drive progress in the ongoing free trade agreement negotiations launched earlier this year. “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,” said Johnson.

“As we face threats to our peace and prosperity from autocratic states, it is vital that democracies and friends stick together. 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 said.

In Ahmedabad, BoJo will meet leading businessmen and discuss the UK and India’s ‘thriving’ commercial, trade and people links. The choice of Gujarat was linked with it being the ancestral home of around half of the British-Indian diaspora population in the UK.

“In Gujarat, the PM is expected to announce major investment in key industries in both the UK and India, boosting jobs and growth at home, as well as new collaboration on cutting-edge science, health and technology,” the Downing Street statement said.

“The PM will then travel to Delhi to meet PM Modi on Friday to hold talks on the UK and India’s strategic defence, diplomatic and economic partnership, aimed at bolstering our close ties and stepping up security co-operation in the Indo-Pacific.”