Again: UK PM Boris Johnson cancels India visit amid COVID-19 surge

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s visit to India has been cancelled for the second time this year because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The ministry of external affairs on Monday announced that “in view of the prevailing Covid situation, it has been decided by mutual agreement that the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom will not visit India next week. The two sides will be holding a virtual meeting in the coming days to launch plans for a transformed India-UK relationship.”

Johnson was slated to visit in the coming weeks ahead of the G7 Summit to be hosted by the United Kingdom. India was a special invitee to the meet.

“Both leaders attach the highest importance to taking the India-UK partnership to its fullest potential and propose to remain in close touch in this regard and look forward to an in-person meeting later in the year,” the statement added.

Johnson was to be the chief guest at the Republic Day parade earlier this year, but he had to cancel his visit as the UK was in the grip of a resurgence in COVID-19 cases. He had promised to visit India later.

However, this time, it is the uncontrolled situation in New Delhi that has caused the cancellation. Earlier, it was reported that he might have a curtailed visit. However, with India recording new highs, the visit has been cancelled.

The developments have put Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit for the G7 in uncertainty as well. However, that is still several weeks away.