Boris Johnson In India: Meets Modi In Delhi, Pitches ‘Democracies Against Autocracies’

On the second day of his India visit, UK Prime Minister Boris Johsnon arrived in New Delhi and met with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi at the Rashtrapati Bhawan, with foreign minister S. Jaishankar present as well. Johnson thanked him for the welcome and remarked on string bilateral relations, saying: “I don't think things have ever been as strong or as good between us (India-UK) as they are now”.

#WATCH | Prime Minister Narendra Modi receives UK PM Boris Johnson at Rashtrapati Bhavan pic.twitter.com/IpbQMKAWPb

— ANI (@ANI) April 22, 2022

Ahead of the visit, he tweeted that the “partnership” of the two democracies is vital against the threat of “autocratic states”, in a veiled reference to China and Russia.

Looking forward to meeting with my friend @NarendraModi today in New Delhi.

From climate change to energy security to defence, the partnership of our democracies is vital as the world faces growing threats from autocratic states.

— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) April 22, 2022

During the first leg of the visit, Mr. Johnson was received in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, from where he went to the Sabarmati Ashram which had been home to M.K. Gandhi in the 1930’s, followed by a visit to billionaire industrialist Gautam Adani, and to the heavy machinery plant of JCB, where he was pictured riding a bulldozer.

His visit comes after the United States sent high-level officials, culminating in the 2+2 ministerial meeting with foreign and defense ministers and a virtual conference between President Joe Biden and Pm Narendra Modi.

The U.K. has been more measured in its communication on its stand on Russia, as opposed to the U.S. which set out its expectations and observations on India more clearly on the record.

Among the main highlights of Johnson’s visit is a free trade agreement that might be finalized at the end of the year, for which the UK will reciprocate by increasing the visa quota for Indians.