British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Monday cancelled a planned trip to India, due to the current coronavirus situation in India, Mr. Johnson’s office said.
Mr. Johnson had already postponed the trip once from January, when COVID-19 infections were high in Britain. Infections in India are currently surging as the country endures a second wave of the virus.
“In the light of the current coronavirus situation, Prime Minister Boris Johnson will not be able to travel to India next week,” a joint statement from the British and Indian government, released by Mr. Johnson’s office, said.
Johnson was supposed to visit India next week to agree a Roadmap 2030′ for re-energised India-UK relations across trade and investment and climate action.
The visit was aimed at strengthening trade ties, investment and cooperation in various areas, including defence, security, health and climate change.
It followed an invitation from PM Modi, who took part in a climate summit hosted by London earlier this year.
“The visit of PM Johnson is expected to positively transform the partnership across the wide-spectrum of issues and areas relating to Defence and Security, the Indo-Pacific and Western Indian Ocean Region (WIOR), Trade and Investments, Health care, Climate Change and people-to-people connect,” the High Commission of India in London had said.
“India and UK are set to agree on a Roadmap 2030′ for future relations. The 2030 vision is for revitalised and dynamic connect between people; re-energised trade, investment and technological collaboration; enhanced defence and security cooperation and closer engagement on regional issues Including the Indian Ocean Region and the Indo-Pacific. The India-UK Partnership in Climate Action, clean energy and health care is geared for mutual benefit and a better world,” it added.
