Thu. Mar 28th, 2024

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a telephone conversation today with the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Boris Johnson after he canceled his visit to India due to an increasing new strain of coronavirus cases.

As per the PIB press release, Prime Minister Johnson reiterated his thanks for India’s invitation for him as the Chief Guest of the forthcoming Republic Day celebrations but regretted his inability to attend given the changed COVID-19 context prevailing in the UK. He reiterated his keenness to visit India shortly.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his understanding of the exceptional situation in the UK and conveyed his best wishes for the quick control of the pandemic spread. He looked forward to receiving Prime Minister Johnson in India at the earliest opportunity after the normalization of the situation.

The leaders reviewed ongoing cooperation between both countries, including in the area of making COVID-19 vaccines available for the world. They reiterated their shared belief in the potential of the India-UK partnership in the post-BREXIT, post-COVID context, and agreed to work towards a comprehensive roadmap for realizing this potential.

Amid the new strain of Coronavirus, India is going to have Republic day celebrations with all the necessary precautions. The government has decided to cut short the parade and elders and children are not allowed to observe the parade from the venue.