Britain to hand India G7 summit invite during Johnson’s first visit as UK PM next month

Johnson plans to invite India to join next year’s G7 summit, which Britain is hosting, as one of three guest countries alongside South Korea and Australia

The trip is aimed at strengthening bilateral trade ties and investment, and cooperation in defence, security, health, climate change and other areas

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Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson arrives at 10 Downing Street in London on Tuesday. Photo: AFP

Published: 8:42pm, 15 Dec 2020Updated: 10:57pm, 15 Dec 2020

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will travel to India next month in his first major bilateral visit to another country since taking power last year, his office said on Tuesday.

During the trip, Johnson will invite India to join next year’s G7 summit, which Britain is hosting, as one of three guest countries, alongside South Korea and Australia.

The Indian trip is aimed at strengthening bilateral trade ties and investment, and cooperation in various areas including defence, security, health and climate change.

It will coincide with India’s annual Republic Day celebrations on January 26, will also come just weeks after the UK leaves the European Union single market on December 31, and as it seeks new trade deals post-Brexit.

Johnson, right, pictured with Britain's then-prime minister David Cameron, left, during a three-day visit by Modi in 2015. Photo: AP

“I am absolutely delighted to be visiting India next year at the start of an exciting year for Global Britain, and look forward to delivering the quantum leap in our bilateral relationship that Prime Minister [Narendra] Modi and I have pledged to achieve,” Johnson said in a statement.