Boris Johnson speaks to PM Modi, expresses regret for calling off Republic Day visit

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson called PM Modi on Tuesday to express regret that he had to call off his India visit for Republic Day celebrations on January 26 owing to the Covid-19 pandemic situation of the United Kingdom, which is under the grip of a new variant.

As per the British prime minister’s office, Johnson expressed his regret for not being able to visit India and asserted that in order to focus on the domestic response of the virus it is crucial that he stays in the country.

The press release from the UK’s prime minister’s office said that “He hopes to be able to visit India in the first half of 2021, and ahead of the UK’s G7 Summit that Prime Minister Modi is due to attend as a guest.”

During the call, the leaders also talked about their “shared commitment to the bilateral relationship” and will continue to develop the close association between the countries including the response to the coronavirus pandemic.

The UK prime minister’s post-Brexit visit to India was scheduled for January 26, as the chief guest at the annual Republic Day celebrations.