UK PM Boris Johnson arrives in Gujarat's Ahmedabad; on two-day visit to India

Ahmedabad (Gujarat): Commencing his two-day visit to India, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson landed in Gujarat's Ahmedabad on Thursday. The UK PM was welcomed by Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel. With his visit to India, the UK PM is expected to give a fresh push to the proposed free trade agreement, boost cooperation in the Indo-Pacific and enhance defence ties.

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Welcome .. The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain, Mr. @BorisJohnson, who was on a visit to Gujarat, received a warm welcome at the Ahmedabad Airport.

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- Bhupendra Patel (@BhupendraPatel) 21 Apr 2022

A major focus of Johnson's visit is - talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which will include discussions on bilateral issues, the situation in the Indo-Pacific, enhancing defence ties and more. Moreover, ahead of the British PM's visit, the UK had said that it would not look to "lecture" India over its neutral stance in the UN on the Russia-Ukraine war or India's decision to increase Russian oil imports. Also Read | 400th Parkash Purab of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur: PM Modi to release commemorative coin, postage stamp on April 21 Talking about his visit's agenda, The UK PM will meet with leading businesses on Thursday and discuss the UK and India's thriving commercial, trade and people links. In Gujarat, Johnson is expected to announce new science, health and technology projects, as well as major investments in key industries in the United Kingdom and India. The British Prime Minister will then travel to New Delhi to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday (22nd April). "The leaders will hold in-depth talks on the UK and India's strategic defence, diplomatic and economic partnership, aimed at bolstering our close partnership and stepping up security cooperation in the Indo-Pacific," the statement from the UK read. As per the UK government, Johnson will use his visit to India to drive progress in the negotiations on the Free Trade Agreement, which is expected to boost bilateral trade by up to 28 billion pounds (USD 36.5 billion) annually by 2035. "My visit to India will deliver on the things that really matter to the people of both our nations - from job creation and economic growth, to energy security and defence," Johnson has said earlier. Also Read | Guru Tegh Bahadur Jayanti 2022: Know significance, history and more about 400th Prakash Purab -PTC News