UK PM Boris Johnson greets India on R-Day, says working together to eliminate COVID

UK and India are working side by side to free humanity from coronavirus pandemic, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said in a special reference to vaccine collaboration in his Republic Day mess on Tuesday. Johnson was due to be in New Delhi as chief guest at annual pare to mark India’s 71st Republic Day but h to call off visit to focus on domestic crisis unleashed by emergence of a new, delier variant of coronavirus in UK at end of last year. In his video mess to celebrate birth of an “extraordinary Constitution” that established India “as biggest sovereign democracy in world”, UK PM reiterated his plan to visit India in coming months.

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

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

dressing Indian diaspora in UK, he ded,“All over 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 “living bridge” between us. “But for w, let me wish everyone in India as well as those celebrating here in Britain, a very happy Republic Day,” British prime minister said.