British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is scheduled to visit India next week. During this, Boris Johnson will discuss trade and security issues with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “As we face threats to our peace and prosperity from autocratic states, it is important that democracy and friends stay together,” Johnson said in a statement ahead of the visit.
Britain and India have different views on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. On the one hand, while London has imposed economic sanctions on Moscow and supplied arms to Kyiv. On the other hand, the Modi government has not openly condemned the Kremlin. India maintains that Russia is its old friend and an essential pillar of its foreign policy.
British PM Johnson said that from job creation and economic development to energy security and defense issues will be important in the visit of 21-22 April. “India, as a major economic power and the world’s largest democracy, is an important strategic partner for the UK at this time,” he said. Johnson’s office said the British PM and Prime Minister Modi will hold “in-depth talks” on their “strategic defence, diplomatic and economic partnership” in Delhi on April 22.
Downing Street said in its statement that British Prime Minister Boris Johnson in Gujarat may announce new science, health and technology projects as well as major investments in key industries in the United Kingdom and India. Boris Johnson will also try to move forward in negotiations on a free trade agreement between Britain and India. According to his office, bilateral trade “could increase to £28 billion ($37 billion, 34 billion euros) annually by 2035”.
