Prime Minister Boris Johnson will visit India on&nbsp;April 26 in what will be his first major international trip after Britain's exit from the European Union as part of efforts to boost UK opportunities in the region.

During his India visit, Johnson is also expected to visit Pune. No details are yet known about his schedule in Pune.&nbsp;World's largest vaccine manufacture Serum Institute of India (SII) is based in the city. SII has been manufacturing&nbsp;Oxford-AstraZeneca's COVID&nbsp;vaccine Covishield.

Johnson had planned an Indian trip in January as part of efforts to speed up trade talks between the two nations but was forced to cancel amid a surge of COVID-19 infections at home.

At the time, his office said he had hoped to rearrange the visit before Britain hosted the meeting of leaders from the Group of Seven rich nations in June, which Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is due to attend as a visitor.

Johnson's government said it would "tilt" its focus towards the Indo-Pacific region as part of its Integrated Review of government policy for the coming years, saying the area increasingly represented the geopolitical centre of the world.

Last month, Britain made a formal request to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), seeking membership of the 11-country bloc to open new avenues for post-Brexit trade and influence.

It has also applied to become a dialogue partner of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

"We are pursuing trade deals from Australia to the US&nbsp;and around the world – particularly in the Indo-Pacific region, a huge growth market for the future," foreign minister Dominic Raab wrote in December.

(With inputs from Sidhant Sibal)

Prime Minister Boris Johnson will visit India on April 26 in what will be his first major international trip after Britain's exit from the European Union as part of efforts to boost UK opportunities in the region.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson will visit India on April 26 in what will be his first major international trip after Britain's exit from the European Union as part of efforts to boost UK opportunities in the region. During his India visit, Johnson is also expected to visit Pune. No details are yet known about his schedule in Pune. World's largest vaccine manufacture Serum Institute of India (SII) is based in the city. SII has been manufacturing Oxford-AstraZeneca's COVID vaccine Covishield. Johnson had planned an Indian trip in January as part of efforts to speed up trade talks between the two nations but was forced to cancel amid a surge of COVID-19 infections at home. At the time, his office said he had hoped to rearrange the visit before Britain hosted the meeting of leaders from the Group of Seven rich nations in June, which Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is due to attend as a visitor. Johnson's government said it would "tilt" its focus towards the Indo-Pacific region as part of its Integrated Review of government policy for the coming years, saying the area increasingly represented the geopolitical centre of the world. Last month, Britain made a formal request to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), seeking membership of the 11-country bloc to open new avenues for post-Brexit trade and influence. It has also applied to become a dialogue partner of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). "We are pursuing trade deals from Australia to the US and around the world – particularly in the Indo-Pacific region, a huge growth market for the future," foreign minister Dominic Raab wrote in December. (With inputs from Sidhant Sibal)

UK PM Boris Johnson to visit India in April

British Prime Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/uk-pm-boris-johnson-calls-india-indispensable-partner-ahead-of-delhi-visit-next-month-350001">Boris Johnson</a> who was set to visit India for Republic Day celebrations on January 26 has postponed his visit.

Watch:

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Downing Street said the PM Johnson's visit has been postponed due to the coronavirus crisis.

England entered stringent lockdown on Monday amid a surge in coronavirus cases.

"The prime minister spoke to Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi this morning, to express his regret that he will be unable to visit India later this month as planned," newswire AFP quoted Downing Street spokesman as saying.

Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove told a television channel that the national lockdown in England could last till March with&nbsp;measures to be reviewed from February 15.&nbsp;

India's Prime Minister's Office(PMO) said that PM Modi had a telephone conversation today with the Prime Minister of UK Boris Johnson and he expressed regret over his inability to attend India's forthcoming Republic Day celebrations in view of the changed COVID-19 situation prevailing in the UK. &nbsp;

"He reiterated his keenness to visit India in the near future," PMO said in a statement.

"The leaders reviewed ongoing cooperation between both countries, including in the area of making COVID-19 vaccines available for the world," the PMO informed.

The national lockdown in England was announced on Monday&nbsp;after the British government revealed a new variant of the virus had entered Britain from South Africa a fortnight ago which was "70 per cent" more transferable.

England has been rolling out its vaccines at a fast pace amid the virus surge with supermarkets Tesco, Morrisons and Boots declaring they are ready to chip in to provide space and&nbsp;refrigerated lorries.&nbsp;

The United Kingdom has been hit hard due to the virus with the cases surging to over 2.7 million along with over 75,540 fatalities.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson who was set to visit India for Republic Day celebrations on January 26 has postponed his visit. Watch: Downing Street said the PM Johnson's visit has been postponed due to the coronavirus crisis.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson who was set to visit India for Republic Day celebrations on January 26 has postponed his visit. Watch: Downing Street said the PM Johnson's visit has been postponed due to the coronavirus crisis. England entered stringent lockdown on Monday amid a surge in coronavirus cases. "The prime minister spoke to Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi this morning, to express his regret that he will be unable to visit India later this month as planned," newswire AFP quoted Downing Street spokesman as saying. Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove told a television channel that the national lockdown in England could last till March with measures to be reviewed from February 15. India's Prime Minister's Office(PMO) said that PM Modi had a telephone conversation today with the Prime Minister of UK Boris Johnson and he expressed regret over his inability to attend India's forthcoming Republic Day celebrations in view of the changed COVID-19 situation prevailing in the UK. "He reiterated his keenness to visit India in the near future," PMO said in a statement. "The leaders reviewed ongoing cooperation between both countries, including in the area of making COVID-19 vaccines available for the world," the PMO informed. The national lockdown in England was announced on Monday after the British government revealed a new variant of the virus had entered Britain from South Africa a fortnight ago which was "70 per cent" more transferable. England has been rolling out its vaccines at a fast pace amid the virus surge with supermarkets Tesco, Morrisons and Boots declaring they are ready to chip in to provide space and refrigerated lorries. The United Kingdom has been hit hard due to the virus with the cases surging to over 2.7 million along with over 75,540 fatalities.

UK PM Boris Johnson postpones India visit due to virus surge in England

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UK PM Boris Johnson to visit India in April

UK PM Boris Johnson postpones India visit due to virus surge in England