A Downing Street spokeswoman today said: “The prime minister spoke to Prime Minister Modi this morning, to express his regret that he will be unable to visit India later this month as planned.”
United Kingdom PM Boris Johnson, amid coronavirus pandemic raging across the country, cancelled his visit to India on Tuesday that was scheduled for later this month.
On Tuesday, Britain began its third COVID-19 lockdown, with citizens under orders to stay at home and the government calling for one last major national effort to stem the virus before mass vaccinations turn the tide.
Johnson was invited to attend the Republic Day event of India on January 26 and the UK premier had agreed to visit.
However, a Downing Street spokeswoman today said: “The prime minister spoke to Prime Minister Modi this morning, to express his regret that he will be unable to visit India later this month as planned.”
“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.”
As the surge of a new strain of the virus that is said to be more infectious threatens to overwhelm hospitals, the UK PM declared a third national lockdown in the country, despite the rollout of two vaccines, including the UK’s own Oxford University/AstraZeneca shot from Monday, bringing hopes of beating the virus in the coming months.
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