New Delhi: British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will announce a slew of commercial agreements and hold bilateral discussions with a focus on the UK and India’s trade, investment, and technology partnership. Prime Minister Johnson arrived in Gujarat on April 21 for the start of his two-day visit to India.
The British High Commission (BHC), in a statement, said Johnson will use his visit to India to boost “our collaboration with one of the world’s fastest-growing economies, slashing trade barriers for UK businesses and driving jobs and growth at home”.
The UK and Indian businesses will confirm more than 1 billion pounds in new investments and export deals today in areas from software engineering to health, creating almost 11,000 jobs across the UK, added the British High Commission in the statement.
The UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “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.”
“Our powerhouse partnership is delivering jobs, growth, and opportunities for our people, and it will only go from strength to strength in the coming years,” he added.
The UK had said it would not look to “lecture” India over its neutral stance in the UN on the Ukraine war or India’s decision to increase Russian oil imports. The UK, however, has been trying to persuade India to reduce its reliance on Moscow since Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24.
Johnson will visit a new factory being opened by a top British firm in Gujarat, as well as a biotechnology university working in collaboration with the University of Edinburgh.
As he moves on to New Delhi on April 22, the UK PM will also use this week’s visit to drive progress in negotiations on the landmark UK-India free trade agreement, which is expected to help double trade and investment by 2030, stressed the British High Commission, adding that the negotiating teams will hold their third round of formal talks in India next week.
“I have always been in favor of talented people coming to this country… We are short to the tune of hundreds of thousands of people in our economy and we need to have a progressive approach and we will.”
– PM Boris Johnson indicated he was ready to offer more visas to India.
