India in dilemma; Republic day guest UK PM Boris Johnson cancels his visit
Kanwar Inder singh/ royalpatiala.in
Today the Prime Minister of UK Boris Johnson spoke to Prime Minister Narinder Modi this morning, to express his regret that he will be unable to visit India later this month as planned.
Bris Jonhson, who was scheduled to be the chief guest at India’s Republic Day parade on January 26.
He said, “in light of the national lockdown announced last night, and the speed at which the new coronavirus variant is spreading, the Prime Minister said that it was important for him to remain in the UK so he can focus on the domestic response to the virus.”
Both the leaders underlined their shared commitment to the bilateral relationship, and to continuing to build on the close collaboration between our countries – including in response to the pandemic.
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that “he hopes to be able to visit India in the first half of 2021, and ahead of the UK’s G7 Summit that Prime Minister Modi is due to attend as a guest.”
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson had accepted an invitation from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. India will be celebrating its 72nd Republic Day at the Red Fort on 26 January 2021. No dignitary from UK came since John Major, as Republic day guest. Major was the chief guest at the January 26 parade in 1993.
Indian government is in dilemma, as just three weeks before the 72nd Republic Day, the chief guest expressed his inability to attend the function, for the government has already been making arrangements.
January 5,2021
