A series of high-level virtual meetings are planned over the&nbsp;next two weeks&nbsp;as surging COVID-19&nbsp;cases have made it difficult for physical engagement between leaders. Coming Monday will see Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson interact&nbsp;as the latter's visit to India got deferred due to rising COVID-19&nbsp;cases in India.&nbsp;

Earlier this week, when the formal announcement of the visit being deferred was announced, UK PM Boris said,"&nbsp;The relationship between the UK and India is of huge importance and I'll be talking to Narendra Modi, Prime Minister Modi on Monday, we'll be trying to do as much as we can virtually."

During the talks, both sides are set to agree on a Roadmap 2030 for future relations that aim&nbsp;to increase ties in every sector from trade to investment and technological collaboration.&nbsp;In the month of March, UK published its Integrated Review of Security, Defence, Development and Foreign policy with a key focus on India as London focuses on its "tilt" to Indo Pacific.

This is the second time PM Boris's India visit was deferred. He was the chief guest for Republic Day as well in January but could not come due to rising cases in his country at that time.

May 8&nbsp;will see the India-EU Leaders’ Meeting, as PM Modi's scheduled visit to Portugal's&nbsp;Porto for the same was cancelled due to coronavirus&nbsp;crisis. For the first time, India-EU Leaders’ Meeting in the EU+27 format will be held virtually. According to a release by the Ministry of external affairs the meet "reflects the shared ambition of both sides to further deepen the strategic partnership.”

PM Modi will also take part in US President Joe Biden's virtual climate summit that will take place on Thursday and Friday. PM will be speaking at the&nbsp;Leaders’ Session 1 that will take place tomorrow from 5.30 to 7.30 pm IST.&nbsp;

MEA in a release said,"The Leaders will exchange views on climate change, enhancing climate actions, mobilising finance towards climate mitigation and adaptation, nature-based solutions, climate security as well as technological innovations for clean energy."

The Indian PM is among 40 world leaders who have been invited to the virtual climate summit. From South Asia, along with Indian PM, Bhutanese and Bangladeshi PMs have been also invited.&nbsp;The summit is a part of a series of global meetings focusing on climate issues, being held in the run-up to COP26 that will take place in UK in November 2021.

Virtual diplomacy amid COVID-19&nbsp;has gained currency. Indian Prime Minister&nbsp;has held talks and bilateral summits from over 10 countries in the last one year, including&nbsp;Australia, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Bangladesh and&nbsp; large number of European countries like the Netherlands, Denmark. A number of big&nbsp;summits, like G20, BRICS, SCO and even Quad have taken place virtually with India's participation.

A series of high-level virtual meetings are planned over the next two weeks as surging COVID-19 cases have made it difficult for physical engagement between leaders.

A series of high-level virtual meetings are planned over the next two weeks as surging COVID-19 cases have made it difficult for physical engagement between leaders. Coming Monday will see Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson interact as the latter's visit to India got deferred due to rising COVID-19 cases in India. Earlier this week, when the formal announcement of the visit being deferred was announced, UK PM Boris said," The relationship between the UK and India is of huge importance and I'll be talking to Narendra Modi, Prime Minister Modi on Monday, we'll be trying to do as much as we can virtually." During the talks, both sides are set to agree on a Roadmap 2030 for future relations that aim to increase ties in every sector from trade to investment and technological collaboration. In the month of March, UK published its Integrated Review of Security, Defence, Development and Foreign policy with a key focus on India as London focuses on its "tilt" to Indo Pacific. This is the second time PM Boris's India visit was deferred. He was the chief guest for Republic Day as well in January but could not come due to rising cases in his country at that time. May 8 will see the India-EU Leaders’ Meeting, as PM Modi's scheduled visit to Portugal's Porto for the same was cancelled due to coronavirus crisis. For the first time, India-EU Leaders’ Meeting in the EU+27 format will be held virtually. According to a release by the Ministry of external affairs the meet "reflects the shared ambition of both sides to further deepen the strategic partnership.” PM Modi will also take part in US President Joe Biden's virtual climate summit that will take place on Thursday and Friday. PM will be speaking at the Leaders’ Session 1 that will take place tomorrow from 5.30 to 7.30 pm IST. MEA in a release said,"The Leaders will exchange views on climate change, enhancing climate actions, mobilising finance towards climate mitigation and adaptation, nature-based solutions, climate security as well as technological innovations for clean energy." The Indian PM is among 40 world leaders who have been invited to the virtual climate summit. From South Asia, along with Indian PM, Bhutanese and Bangladeshi PMs have been also invited. The summit is a part of a series of global meetings focusing on climate issues, being held in the run-up to COP26 that will take place in UK in November 2021. Virtual diplomacy amid COVID-19 has gained currency. Indian Prime Minister has held talks and bilateral summits from over 10 countries in the last one year, including Australia, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Bangladesh and large number of European countries like the Netherlands, Denmark. A number of big summits, like G20, BRICS, SCO and even Quad have taken place virtually with India's participation.

Virtual diplomacy in focus for India as COVID-19 impacts physical engagements

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will have a virtual bilateral summit with Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen on Monday. This is his first standalone virtual meet with any European leader.

A ministry of external affairs releases announcing the summit said,"India- Denmark bilateral relations are marked by regular high-level exchanges and are based on historical links, common democratic traditions and shared desire for regional, as well as international peace and stability."

All in all, this is the 4th Virtual Summit of PM Modi with any global Leader amidst COVID crisis. So far, he has had virtual meet with leaders of Australia, EU &amp; Sri Lanka.&nbsp;

Two key outcomes of the India Denmark virtual meet will be-- the signing of MoU in the field of intellectual property cooperation between the 2 countries &amp; Denmark joining of International Solar Alliance (ISA).

The MEA release said,"The Virtual Bilateral Summit will give an opportunity to the two leaders to comprehensively review the broad framework of the bilateral relationship in the context of the time-tested friendly ties between the two countries and give broad political direction for a strengthened and deepened collaborative partnership on key issues of mutual interest."

Bilateral trade in goods and services between India and Denmark has grown by 30.49%, from US$ 2.82 billion in 2016 to US$ 3.68 billion in 2019. Around 200 Danish companies have invested in India while 25 Indian companies are present in Denmark in IT, renewable energy and engineering.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will have a virtual bilateral summit with Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen on Monday. This is his first standalone virtual meet with any European leader.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will have a virtual bilateral summit with Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen on Monday. This is his first standalone virtual meet with any European leader. A ministry of external affairs releases announcing the summit said,"India- Denmark bilateral relations are marked by regular high-level exchanges and are based on historical links, common democratic traditions and shared desire for regional, as well as international peace and stability." All in all, this is the 4th Virtual Summit of PM Modi with any global Leader amidst COVID crisis. So far, he has had virtual meet with leaders of Australia, EU & Sri Lanka. Two key outcomes of the India Denmark virtual meet will be-- the signing of MoU in the field of intellectual property cooperation between the 2 countries & Denmark joining of International Solar Alliance (ISA). The MEA release said,"The Virtual Bilateral Summit will give an opportunity to the two leaders to comprehensively review the broad framework of the bilateral relationship in the context of the time-tested friendly ties between the two countries and give broad political direction for a strengthened and deepened collaborative partnership on key issues of mutual interest." Bilateral trade in goods and services between India and Denmark has grown by 30.49%, from US$ 2.82 billion in 2016 to US$ 3.68 billion in 2019. Around 200 Danish companies have invested in India while 25 Indian companies are present in Denmark in IT, renewable energy and engineering.

PM Narendra Modi to hold virtual bilateral summit with Denmark PM on September 28

India-Australia virtual bilateral summit is officially underway and this is the first time that India is participating in the virtual summit. India and Australia have upgraded their bilateral ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership. Watch report.

WION Dispatch: India's first virtual bilateral summit | India-Australia summit