The invitation was extended on November 27 during a telephone conversation between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Johnson, a source said.
India has invited UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson as the main guest for the Republic Day celebrations in January 2021 and a decision on the matter is expected from London, according to diplomatic sources.
The invitation was extended on November 27 during a telephone conversation between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Mr. Johnson, a diplomatic source said on December 2. However, there was no confirmation from the British High Commission on this and officials said that Mr willing to visit India as soon as possible.
It has been learned that prior to this invitation discussions were taking place for a visit by Mr. Johnson for the Raisina Dialogue.
There was no response from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MEA) to questions about the visit. There has been a high-level visit since the visit of the President of the United States, Donald Trump, in February 2020 due to COVID-19. Furthermore, given that the number of COVID-19 cases in India exceeds 9.5 million, there is still no clarity on the Republic Day celebrations in 2021.
The MEA said in a statement on Nov. 27 that the two leaders exchanged thoughts on the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and reviewed the promising cooperation between India and the United Kingdom in the area of vaccine development and manufacturing.
The leaders reiterated their shared desire to make a quantum leap to the India-UK partnership in the post-COVID, post-Brexit era, and agreed that there is enormous potential to enhance collaboration on trade and investment, scientific research, mobility of professional students, defense and security.
The officials said that with a focus on a variety of areas, the focus between the two countries would be to develop a comprehensive strategic partnership.
Defense cooperation, a priority area for the two countries, has seen a lot of activity in recent years. A mutual defense logistical support agreement is in advanced stages of signing, while a defense training Memorandum of Understanding is also in the works. In April 2019, a Defense Technology and Industrial Capacity Cooperation MoU (DTICC) was signed.
The two counties are close to signing a government-to-government (G-to-G) agreement on the development of jet engine technology. In addition, the UK government is also working on a government-to-government framework for defense deals in the future. The UK has already announced its intention to deploy a Liaison Officer at the Indian Navy Information Fusion Center for the Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR) aimed at enhancing awareness of the maritime domain.
The UK has also launched to India for joint technology development of sixth generation combat technologies that can be incorporated into India’s fifth generation Advanced Medium Fighter Aircraft, as well as the offered design of its Queen-class aircraft carrier. Elizabeth for the second indigenous aircraft carrier proposed by the Indian Navy.
.
