Boris Johnson shortens his planned trip to India later this month to just ONE DAY after spike in coronavirus cases in the country but he will still meet with PM Narendra Modi
- Boris Johnson is due to go to India on an official visit at the end of this month
- But Downing Street said today the visit will be shorter than had been expected
- The decision has been made as India continues to see a spike in Covid cases
Boris Johnson has decided to shorten his planned trip to India at the end of this month as the country continues to experience a spike in coronavirus cases.
The Prime Minister had been due to fly to India for a four day trip but Downing Street announced Mr Johnson ‘has made the decision to reduce the length of the visit’.
Number 10 said the exact length of the trip will be set out at a later date but the PM’s Official Spokesman said the expectation is the ‘bulk’ of the visit will take place on Monday April 26.
Mr Johnson is still expected to meet in person with Indian prime minister Narendra Modi.
Boris Johnson has decided to shorten his planned trip to India at the end of this month as the country continues to experience a spike in coronavirus cases
Mr Johnson is still expected to meet in person with Indian prime minister Narendra Modi
Covid-19 rates are soaring in India, with more than 180,000 new infections detected since Tuesday.
The country has so far confirmed more than 13.9million cases and 172,000 dead in what is likely to be an underestimation.
Mr Johnson’s trip had already been pushed back from January due to the UK’s battle with a winter wave of infections.
The PM’s Official Spokesman told reporters at lunchtime: ‘We’ve been in close contact with the Indian government about the PM’s upcoming visit in the light of the Covid situation in India.
‘As a result of these discussions, the Prime Minister has made the decision to reduce the length of the visit which is due to take place at the end of this month, so it will be a shorter programme in New Dehli.
‘This programme will be focused on high-level discussions with the Indian government and Indian business leaders.
‘We will set out more details in due course but the visit will include a bilateral meeting with prime minister Modi.
‘As with all the PM’s visits, his trip to India will prioritise the safety of those involved and all elements will be Covid secure.’
The spokesman said the exact length of the trip would be announced at a later date but that Number 10 expected the ‘bulk of the PM’s programme to take place on Monday 26th’ April.
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