Boris Johnson Cancels India Visit Due To Covid-19 Surge, UK Puts India On Travel ‘Red List’

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson cancelled on April 19 his trip to India on April 25 owing to the grim Covid-19 situation in the country. He said he would hold a virtual call with Indian PM Narendra Modi instead. The announcement came just ahead of UK health secretary Matt Hancock announcing in the House of Commons that India would from 4 am UK time (8.30 am IST) on Friday April 23 be added to the red list. This means anyone who is not a UK or Irish citizen or resident cannot enter the UK if they have been in India in the previous 10 days. Downing Street and the ministry of external affairs said the decision to cancel Johnson’s trip was a joint decision. The trip was meant to see the announcement of a post-Brexit enhanced trade partnership, together with various announcements on climate change and deepening defence and security ties in the Indo-Pacific region.