Prime Minister Boris Johnson is set to make a long-delayed trip
to India this week in a bid to strengthen security ties with the
country.
He will meet his counterpart Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Friday,
with talks focused on defense and trade.
It will be Johnson's first major trip to India as PM after previous
visits were postponed due to COVID.
The UK has been trying to persuade India to reduce its reliance on
Moscow since Russia invaded Ukraine.
Last month, Foreign Secretary Liz Truss visited India in an attempt
to get the country to impose stronger sanctions against Russia and
to cooperate more closely on trade, defense, energy and food
security.
Johnson's trip will also include a visit to Gujarat on Thursday,
India's fifth-largest state, where he is expected to announce a
major investment in key industries in the UK and India, as well as
new collaboration on science, health and technology.
Ahead of his visit, the prime minister said: "As we face threats to
our peace and prosperity from autocratic states, it is vital that
democracies and friends stick together.
"India, as a major economic power and the world's largest
democracy, is a highly valued strategic partner for the UK in these
uncertain times.
"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 defense."
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