Forced to Cancel Republic Day Visit, UK PM Boris Johnson Greets India, Celebrates Vaccine Collab

In his video message celebrating the birth of the Constitution that established India as the biggest sovereign democracy in the world, Johnson reiterated his plan to visit India in the coming months.

New Delhi: United Kingdom Prime Minister Boris Johnson who was forced to cancel his visit to India on the 72nd Republic Day due to the recent outbreak of coronavirus, on Tuesday greeted India in a special reference to the vaccine collaboration and said that the two countries are working side by side to free humanity from the pandemic.

In his video message celebrating the birth of the Constitution that established India as the biggest sovereign democracy in the world, Johnson reiterated his plan to visit India in the coming months.

“I was hugely looking forward to joining you for this important occasion at the kind invitation of my friend Prime Minister Modi, alas our common struggle against COVID has kept me in London,” the UK PM said.

“As I speak, our two countries are working side by side to develop, produce and distribute vaccines that will help to free humanity from the pandemic. And thanks to the combined efforts of Britain, India and many other nations, we are on the road to success against COVID. So, I look forward to visiting India later this year, strengthening our friendship, and striving for the quantum leap in our relationship that Prime Minister Modi and I have both pledged to achieve,” he said.

Addressing the Indian diaspora in the UK, he added, “All over the world, this virus is compelling people to stay apart, including family and friends in Britain and India, who form what Prime Minister Modi has called the ‘living bridge’ between us. But for now, let me wish everyone in India as well as those celebrating here in Britain, a very happy Republic Day,” the British prime minister said.