Boris Johnson will launch post-Brexit trade drive with trip to India

Boris Johnson will launch a post-Brexit trade drive with a trip to India next month, it was announced today.

The PM has accepted an invitation from President Narendra Modi as he vowed to bang the drum for ‘Global Britain’.

It is expected to be Mr Johnson’s first major trip after the transition period with the EU ends on December 31, and is a signal of intent to boost the UK’s wider ties around the world.

Mr Johnson said: ‘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 Modi and I have pledged to achieve.

‘As a key player in the Indo-Pacific region, India is an increasingly indispensable partner for the United Kingdom as we work to boost jobs and growth, confront shared threats to our security and protect our planet.’

India is seen as a key strategic partner for the UK as it looks to forge a new path after cutting ties with Brussels. 

Mr Johnson will be the first PM since John Major to attend annual Republic Day event as Guest of Honour.

It is his first major bilateral visit since entering No10 – although much of that time has been dominated by the coronavirus pandemic.

Downing Street said Mr Johnson would use the trip to boost cooperation in trade and investment, defence and security, and health and climate change.

The UK-India trade relationship is worth around £24billion a year, and is said to support around half a million jobs.

There are 842 Indian companies in the UK with a combined turnover of £41.2billion.