UK PM Boris Johnson cancels India visit, citing need to oversee virus response

United Kingdom Prime Minister Boris Johnson cancelled his visit to India scheduled for later this month, when he was scheduled to be the chief guest at the Republic Day parade on January 26, following a sharp rise in Covid-19 cases in his country.

Johnson spoke to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to express his regret while indicating that he may visit India later in the first half of this year, said his office.

India could now invite a leader from South Asia to be the chief guest at the Republic Day parade, said people aware of the matter.


“The Prime Minister spoke to Prime Minister Modi this morning, to express his regret that he will be unable to visit India later this month as planned,” a Downing Street spokeswoman said on Tuesday. “In light of the national lockdown announced last night, and the speed at which the new coronavirus variant is spreading, the Prime Minister said that it was important for him to remain in the UK so he can focus on the domestic response to the virus."

The statement came on a day when the UK began its third lockdown since the outbreak of the pandemic, with citizens under orders to stay at home except for specified tasks and the government calling for one last major national effort to stem the spread of the virus before mass vaccinations hopefully turn the tide. The UK has been among the worst hit countries, with nearly 2.7 million cases of Covid-19 infections and 75,431 deaths.

“The Prime Minister 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,” said the spokeswoman.

The last UK PM to have visited India as the chief guest at the Republic Day parade was John Major in 1993. In the 1950s and 1960s, leaders including Queen Elizabeth II had been chief guests at the parade.

India and the UK had big plans for Johnson’s trip. During foreign secretary Dominic Raab’s recent visit to India, the two sides had decided to focus on five broad themes – connecting people, trade and prosperity, defence and security, climate change and health – to elevate their strategic partnership to the next level. These themes would also contribute to a common approach to the Indo-Pacific region.

Following Brexit, the two sides are keen to conclude a “10-year roadmap” for a new era in the UK-India relationship, closely collaborating on an enhanced trade partnership and working together to end the coronavirus crisis and tackle climate change. The enhanced trade partnership will pave the way for a future trade deal.

The UK is looking east after exiting the European Union and India is emerging as a key pillar in that strategy. The Boris Johnson government is expected to soon launch its Indo-Pacific vision and align it with India’s vision to aim for a free, open and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.