BORIS Johnson will press for a £28 billion-a-year trade deal between the UK and India this week during his first visit to the country as Prime Minister.

The tour aims to strengthen trade, security, and diplomatic ties with one of the world’s fastest-expanding economies and emerging powers.

Additionally, it is believed to be aimed at creating a counterbalance to China, with India serving as the primary manufacturing base in Asia.

Downing Street has made it abundantly clear that the new relationship with India is only possible as a result of the freedoms granted to the UK as a result of Brexit.

Speaking ahead of the visit, Mr. Johnson said: “As we face threats to our peace and prosperity from autocratic states, it is vital that democracies and friends stick together.

“India, as a major economic power and the world’s largest democracy, is a highly valued strategic partner for the UK in these uncertain times.

“My visit to India will deliver on the things that really matter to the people of both our nations – from job creation and economic growth to energy security and defence.”

The Prime Minister is making his first visit to India since taking office, having been forced to postpone his planned trip a year ago due to an outbreak of covid.

The visit aims to strengthen the world’s largest democracy’s long-term partnership for peace and prosperity in the face of global economic challenges and threats from autocratic states.

The visit will begin in Ahmedabad on Thursday [21st April] with meetings with leading businesses to discuss the thriving commercial, trade, and people-to-people ties between the UK and India.

This will be the first visit by a British Prime Minister to Gujarat, India’s fifth-largest state and ancestral home to approximately half of the UK’s British-Indian population.

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