UK PM Boris Johnson said, "The partnership between India and Britain is one of the defining friendships of our times." (Express photo by Praveen Khanna)UK PM Boris Johnson India Visit Updates: UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Friday during his visit to India said that the India’s position on Russia is ‘well known’ and is not going to change, news agency ANI reported. He also said that the whole world is obliged to do more with the all that is happening around the world and Ukraine. Johnson also said, “India has historic relationship with Russian and everybody respects it.” He also highlighted India’s stand over the Bucha incident and said, “You have to recognise that India came out strongly against what happened in Bucha.”
After his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday, UK PM Boris Johnson said that the two countries had a shared interest in keeping the Indo-Pacific region free and open, particularly in the face of growing threats of autocratic coersion. Meanwhile, calling  the British PM’s  visit to India history, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that  the two leaders had also discussed global developments and the need for dialogue and diplomacy for an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine.
Johnson said that the relationship between the two countries is stronger than ever. Johnson on Thursday indicated that he would raise “difficult issues”, including the Jahangirpuri demolition drive in the National Capital, during his meeting with PM Modi. “We always raise the difficult issues, of course we do, but the fact is that India is a country of 1.35 billion people and it is democratic, it’s the world’s largest democracy,” he told UK reporters during a visit to a new bulldozer factory in Gujarat.
Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson speaks during Prime Minister's Questions in the House of Commons, London, Wednesday. (AP)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his British counterpart Boris Johnson on Friday expressed "zero tolerance" for terrorism in all its forms and reiterated their condemnation of Mumbai and Pathankot terror attacks.
In their wide-ranging talks, Modi and Johnson agreed to constitute a sub-group on countering extremism in order to further enhance cooperation between India and the UK in ensuring that all possible actions are taken against groups and individuals based in or operating out of either country.
"Both leaders expressed zero tolerance for terrorism in all its forms – and for all those who encourage, support and finance terrorism or provide sanctuary to terrorists and terror groups, whatever their motivation may be," a joint statement said. (PTI)
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Friday that economic offenders who want to use the UK’s legal system to evade the law in India are not welcome in the United Kingdom.
On the question of human rights issues in India, the British PM said that the UK raises these issues “privately” and “in a friendly way”. But he also said that India is a “great democracy”, where there are “constitutional protections for communities”. (Read more)
Bringing back economic fugitives to face justice was a "high priority" for the government, India conveyed to the UK on Friday as British Prime Minister Boris Johnson indicated that he was "very sensitive" to these concerns and said Britain doesn't welcome people who want to use its legal system to evade the Indian laws.
India has been pressing the United Kingdom to extradite Vijay Mallya and Nirav Modi to face trial in India for their alleged involvement in cases relating to financial fraud.
After his comprehensive talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Johnson at a media interaction said the UK government has ordered their extradition and there are some legal technicalities that have made it very difficult.
"We don't welcome people who want to use our legal system to evade the law here in India," the British Prime Minister asserted. Briefing reporters on the wide-ranging talks between Modi and Johnson, Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla said India's objective is to bring back economic fugitives who are wanted in India to face justice in the country and the matter did come up in the deliberations between the two leaders. (PTI)
Underlining that India and UK are sticking together and confronting their “shared anxieties” about the “autocratic coercion” around the world, visiting Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Friday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has “intervened several times” with Russian President Vladimir Putin “to ask him what on earth he thinks he is doing, and where he thinks this is going.” And, he also said that what Indians want is “peace” and the “Russians out (of Ukraine).”
Johnson, who spoke at a press conference organised by the British High Commission after the bilateral meeting with PM Modi, steered clear of criticising India for not condemning Russia’s actions. (Read the full story by Shubhajit Roy)
Britain does not rule out taking further steps to address problems in Northern Ireland caused by post-Brexit arrangements, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Friday. Johnson made the comments during a news conference in India after being asked if Britain would pass legislation to suspend aspects of the Northern Ireland protocol, which governs trade with the British-run province.
"It'd be fair to say that the protocol really does not command the confidence of a large, large component of the population in Northern Ireland. We have to address that, we have to fix that," Johnson said. "As I've said many times now we don't rule out taking further steps, if that's necessary." (Reuters)
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Friday he would still be prime minister in October, addressing doubts about his future after he was fined by police for breaching strict lockdown rules that he set during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Johnson's personal standing has plummeted in recent months, primarily over revelations of parties held at his Downing Street office during lockdowns. Opponents say he misled parliament about the events. Asked during a news conference in India whether he would still be prime minister in October - when he hopes to have completed a free trade deal between the two countries - Johnson replied: "Yes".
Johnson's visit to India to talk trade and diplomacy has been overshadowed by the domestic crisis over whether he is fit to lead the country. On Thursday, the threat of a rebellion in parliament forced him to accept that he should be investigated by lawmakers over whether he lied to the House of Commons in his initial response to allegations of rule-breaking. (Reuters)
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, during his India visit said that PM Narendra Modi and I have told our negotiators to conclude the Free Trade Agreement by Diwali, news agency ANI reported.
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, on being asked about Nirav Modi, Vijay Mallya and Khalistani extremists, said, "We've set up an anti-extremist task force to help India...UK govt ordered extradition...We don’t welcome people who want to use our legal system to evade the law in India."
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Friday during his visit to India said that the India's position on Russia is 'well known' and is not going to change. He also said that the whole world is obliged to do more with the all that is happening around the world and Ukraine. Johnson also said, "India has historic relationship with Russian and everybody respects it." He also highlighted India's stand over the Bucha incident and said, "You have to recognise that India came out strongly against what happened in Bucha." (PTI/ANI)
Britain plans to reopen its embassy in the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv next week, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Friday during a two-day visit to India.
The British government said in February, days before Russia invaded Ukraine, that its embassy office in Kyiv was relocating temporarily and staff were operating from an embassy office in the city of Lviv. (Reuters)
India on Friday raised the issue of Khalistan with UK Prime Minister Johnson during his visit to the country. Johnson said, "The UK is sensitive to India’s concerns and there will be zero tolerance to this issue," Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla informed through a statement.
A total of two Goverment-to-Government MoUs and four non-governmental MoUs were exchanged during the official visit of British Prime Minister Boris Johnson to India, the Ministry of External Affairs said.
Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan on Friday laid out the details of the meeting between UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Narendra Modi, in a statement, he said,'During the bilateral talks, PM Modi and UK PM Boris Johnson held discussions on the ongoing FTA negotiations.' "Both sides agreed to the corporation on energy, green hydrogen, trade, defense," he added.
On issue of economic offenders, Shringla said, "We've been pursuing this matter for some time at different levels with UK. Our objective is to bring back those economic fugitives who're wanted in India to face justice in country. Matter was discussed during the bilateral talks."
'This is the first visit of Boris Johnson in his capacity as the PM to India. Both the leaders discussed a wide range of issues, trade, and jobs opportunities. Cyber security, Artificial Intelligence, space, and other technologies were also discussed,' the foreign secretary said. Shringla also informed about the discussion on Ukraine crisis, he said, 'They discussed their views on the Ukraine issue. We want that this conflict should be resolved soon.'
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Friday took to Twitter and said, "As India celebrates its 75th year of independence, I’m hugely optimistic about the depth of the friendship between our countries, and the security and prosperity it can deliver for our peoples for generations to come."
Calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi his “khas dost” (dear friend), British Prime Minister Boris Johnson Monday said that India and the United Kingdom are on path to sign a free-trade agreement by Diwali this year.
“As the next round of talks begins here next week, we’re telling our negotiators to get it done by Diwali.... this could double our trade and investment by the end of the decade,” the British PM said after his meeting with PM Modi in New Delhi. (Read more)
The two leaders also discussed the Ukraine-Russia war, PM Modi said. "We insisted on dialogue and diplomacy in Ukraine for an immediate ceasefire and resolution of the problem," he said.
Speaking about the shared interests in keeping the Indo-Pacific region free and open to counter the threat of autocratic coersion, UK PM Boris Johnson said: "Since last year, the threats of autocratic coercion have grown even further, therefore it is vital we deepen our cooperation including our shared interest in keeping the Indo-Pacific open and free."
British PM Boris Johnson in Delhi: "We have had wonderful talks today and have strengthened our relationship in every way. The partnership between India and Britain is one of the defining friendships of our times."
Speaking about the success of India-made coronavirus vaccines, UK PM Boris Johnson said that he had received the jab developed by the Serum Institute of India and Astrazeneca.
"I've the Indian jab (Covid-19 vaccine) in my arm, and it did me good. Many thanks to India," he said.
The UK has agreed to help India combat threats in the air, space and sea, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Friday. Both countries also have shared interests in keeping the Indo-Pacific region open and free, he added.
"We are taking steps for sustainable homegrown energy. This visit has deepened our relationship," the UK PM said.
Calling British PM Boris Johnson's visit to India history, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that he had invited the UK to join India's National Hydrogen Misison and that both leaders stressed on the importance of free and open Indo-Pacific region.
"We expressed our commitment to fulfilling promises made during the last COP 26. We invite the UK to join India's National Hydrogen Mission...We stressed on a free, open, inclusive & rules-based Indo-Pacific region," PM Modi said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UK PM Boris Johnson witnessed the exchange of agreements between their countries on Friday. Take a look.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UK PM Boris Johnson witnessed the exchange of agreements between their countries on Friday. Take a look.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his visiting British counterpart Boris Johnson on Friday held extensive talks with an aim to further expand cooperation in areas of defence, trade and clean energy.
Ahead of the talks, the UK said it will offer India the best of British know-how on building battle-winning aircraft and support the country's requirements for new technology to respond to threats in the Indian Ocean. In a statement, the British High Commission said the UK will issue an Open General Export Licence (OGEL) to India to cut the delivery period for defence procurement. The British prime minister arrived in India on Thursday on a two-day visit in the backdrop of the Russia-Ukraine war.
"The world faces growing threats from autocratic states which seek to undermine democracy, choke off free and fair trade and trample on sovereignty. The UK's partnership with India is a beacon in these stormy seas," Johnson was quoted as saying by the high commission. (PTI)
The UK's partnership with India is a "beacon" in "stormy seas" at a time the world is facing growing threats from autocratic states which seek to undermine democracy, choke off fair trade and trample on sovereignty, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Friday.
The British high commission said Johnson is expected to discuss with Prime Minister Narendra Modi the next-generation defence and security collaboration across the five domains of land, sea, air, space and cyber as both nations face complex new threats.
This includes support for new Indian-designed and built fighter jets, offering the best of British know-how on building battle-winning aircraft and supporting India's requirements for new technology to identify and respond to threats in the Indian Ocean, it said in a statement ahead of the Modi-Johnson talks.
"Wonderful to see you, my friend PM Boris Johnson in India on a long-awaited visit," PM Narendra Modi tweeted on Friday. "Look forward to our discussions today."
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson received the guard of honour on Friday morning at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi. Take a look:
Meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday morning, UK PM told reporters in the National Capital that relations between the two countries are stronger than ever.
"Thank you for the fantastic welcome...I don't think the things have ever been as strong or as good between us (India-UK) as they are now," Johnson said.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Thursday said his country has raised the Ukraine war issue with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi at diplomatic levels and maintained everybody understands India and Russia shared "very different relationships historically" as he wrapped his day-long visit to Gujarat with several firsts to his credit.
In a first visit by any UK head of the state to Gujarat, Johnson arrived here in the morning on a two-day India tour to a grand welcome and had a hectic day attending multiple programmes and visiting some iconic sites. (PTI)
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Thursday indicated that he would be raising "difficult issues" when he meets his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Friday.
The difficult issues being referred to is likely to include the controversial demolition of some properties as part of an "anti-encroachment" drive by the BJP-ruled North Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) in the Jahangirpuri area of north-west Delhi, days after communal clashes in the locality. Johnson was responding to questions from the UK media during a visit to a new bulldozer factory in Gujarat's Halol industrial area near Vadodara set up by British multinational JCB.
"We always raise the difficult issues, of course we do, but the fact is that India is a country of 1.35 billion people and it is democratic, it's the world's largest democracy," Johnson was quoted in the 'Guardian' newspaper as saying in response to questions. (PTI)
Some more snaps from UK PM Boris Johnson's visit to Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple in Gandhinagar.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Thursday said his country has already raised the Ukraine war issue with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a diplomatic level, and added that everybody understands that India and Russia shared "very different relationships historically".
Johnson's visit to India comes at a time when India has taken a neutral stand on the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and amid the criticism by western countries, especially the US, that India was not taking a clear stance against Russia. --PTI
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson visits Akshardham Temple in Gandhinagar.
Boris Johnshon visits Gandhi Ashram on Thursday.
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson visits JCB factory at Halol GIDC, Panchmahal, with Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel.
On the first day of his tour, Johnson met Adani Group Chairman, Gautam Adani, in Ahmedabad. Sharing a photo of the meeting on Twitter, Adani wrote: "Honoured to host Boris Johnson, the first UK PM to visit Gujarat, at Adani HQ. Delighted to support climate & sustainability agenda with focus on renewables, green H2 & new energy. Will also work with UK companies to co-create defence & aerospace technologies."
During his first day in India, UK PM Boris Johnson met Adani Group Chairman, Gautam Adani, in Ahmedabad.
India and the UK have shared anxieties about autocricies in the world, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Thursday.
UK PM Boris Johnson said he hoped to complete another trade agreement with India by the end of the year, Reuters reported.
Visiting British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Thursday termed Mahatma Gandhi an "extraordinary man" who mobilized the principles of truth and non-violence to change the world for better.
Johnson became the first prime minister of the UK to visit the Sabarmati Ashram here, the place from where Gandhi led India's struggle for freedom from the British colonial rule for more than a decade. In fact, the Tory politician is also the first British prime minister to visit Gujarat post 1947.
"It is an immense privilege to come to the ashram of this extraordinary man, and to understand how he mobilized such simple principles of truth and non-violence to change the world for better," Johnson wrote in the visitors' book at the Gandhi ashram. (PTI)
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who is on a two-day visit to India, visited the Sabarmati Ashram, also known as Gandhi Ashram, here on Thursday after landing in the country.
The Ashram trust gifted him two books, one of them an unpublished guide for the benefit of those seeking to live in London, penned by Mahatma Gandhi himself.
After arriving at the Ahmedabad airport on Thursday morning, Johnson reached Sabarmati Ashram where he was welcomed by Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and trustee Kartikeya Sarabhai, said the Ashram's spokesperson Virat Kothari. Gandhi had lived at the ashram from 1917 to 1930. (PTI)
Soon after arriving in India for a two-day visit, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson tweeted: "It’s fantastic to be in India, the world’s largest democracy. I see vast possibilities for what our great nations can achieve together. Our powerhouse partnership is delivering jobs, growth and opportunity. I look forward to strengthening this partnership in the coming days."
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will announce a raft of commercial agreements and hail a "new era" in bilateral trade and investment ties during his visit to India, the UK High Commission said on Thursday shortly before he landed in Gujarat.
It said the UK and Indian businesses will confirm more than one billion pounds (1 GBP= Rs 99.63) in new investments and export deals in areas from software engineering to health, creating almost 11,000 jobs across the UK. "As I arrive in India today, I see vast possibilities for what our two great nations can achieve together. From next-generation 5G telecoms and AI to new partnerships in health research and renewable energy -- the UK and India are leading the world," Johnson was quoted as saying by the high commission. (PTI)
In a note penned in the visitor's book of the Sabarmati Ashram, UK PM Boris Johnson paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi. He wrote that it was an "immense privilege to come to the Ashram of this extraordinary man".
UK PM Johnson visited Mahatma Gandhi's Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad on Thursday morning, where he tried his hand at the 'Charkha'.
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson received a warm welcome soon after he touched down at Ahmedabad airport on Thursday morning. His visit began with a roadhow from the airport to his hotel.
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson will be gifted a copy of the autobiography of Madeleine Slade, better known as Mirabehn. She was the daughter of a British admiral who later went on to become a disciple of Mahatma Gandhi.
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson arrived in Ahmedabad on Thursday morning. Take a look.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Wednesday that his long-delayed visit to India will deepen the strategic trade, defence and people-to-people ties between the two countries.
Ahead of Johnson's two-day visit, Downing Street has stressed that the UK would not look to "lecture" India over its neutral stance in the United Nations or its decision to hike Russian oil imports.
The UK has been trying to persuade India to reduce its reliance on Moscow since Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24. Addressing the House of Commons for his weekly Prime Minister's Questions (PMQs), Johnson said the trip to Ahmedabad and New Delhi will build on India being invited as a guest country for the G7 Summit hosted by the UK in Cornwall in June last year. (PTI)
As British Prime Minister Boris Johnson lands in Ahmedabad on Thursday for the start of a two-day visit to India, UK and Indian businesses are set to announce investments and export deals worth over £1 billion, in areas from software engineering to health.
Science and tech collaborations, including a digital health partnership and a joint investment fund for Indian deep-tech and AI start-ups, supported by both the governments; new AI scholarships for Indian students jointly funded by the UK government’s Chevening programme and India’s Adani Group; and a £6 million investment by AI healthcare specialists Qure.ai to open a centre of excellence in the UK are set to be announced.
On Friday, Johnson will hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on economic, security and defence collaborations. He is expected to announce commercial agreements, hailing a new era in trade, investment and technology partnership between the two countries. Read more.