Boris Johnson, the British Prime Minister, arrived in Ahmedabad on Thursday as part of a two-day visit to India, where he visited the famous Sabarmati Ashram and met industrialist Gautam Adani, a day before meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi for formal talks on key international and bilateral issues.
This is the first visit to Gujarat by a British Prime Minister.
The British High Commission said ahead of Johnson’s arrival that UK and Indian firms will confirm more than £1 billion in new investments and export deals in fields ranging from software engineering to health, generating around 11,000 jobs throughout the UK.
Johnson also paid trips to the Akshardham temple in Gandhinagar and a manufacturing base of JCB, a British construction equipment company, in the Panchmahal area.
He is set to meet with Modi on Friday.
When asked about India’s position on Ukraine, Johnson said that his nation has previously discussed the problem with Modi on a diplomatic level, and that everyone recognises that India and Russia have “quite different historical links,” according to PTI.
“Well, we’ve already mentioned the matter of Ukraine diplomatically with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.” Actually, they (India) were extremely forceful in their condemnation of crimes in Bucha (a city in Ukraine),” Johnson said during a press conference to launch a new JCB facility, which would cost £100 million to build (nearly Rs 995 crore),
“I believe everyone realises that India and Russia have traditionally had very different ties, just as Russia and the UK have had in the previous couple of decades,” he added in response to a question about whether he will bring up India’s position on Ukraine with Modi. “When we talk to Narendra Modi about Ukraine, we have to convey that fact.”
Johnson’s visit to India comes at a time when India has adopted a neutral posture on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, attracting harsh condemnation from western countries, particularly the United States, which accuses India of failing to take a strong stance against Russia.
“Yes, I am looking forward to speaking with you. When questioned about the topic of his meeting with Modi, Johnson subsequently told reporters in Ahmedabad, “We will speak about trade, security, and important concerns.” “It’s been absolutely lovely so far (on the trip), and it’s great to be here in Gujarat…”
Johnson’s public appearances began with a visit to the Sabarmati Ashram. He praised Mahatma Gandhi as a “amazing guy” who used the values of truth and nonviolence to transform the world. He wrote in the ashram’s visitors’ book, “It’s an amazing joy to come to this extraordinary man’s ashram, and to see how he deployed such simple ideals of truth and nonviolence to transform the world for the better.”
According to a statement from the state administration, Johnson was given two books at the Ashram: a guide to London and an autobiography by Mirabehn, British national Madeleine Slade, a devoted devotee of Mahatma Gandhi.
Johnson also paid a visit to Mira Kutir, who lives near Hriday Kunj on the Ashram grounds.
He later met Adani, an industrialist. “Honoured to host @BorisJohnson, the first UK PM to visit Gujarat, at Adani HQ,” Adani tweeted after their encounter. I’m thrilled to be able to support the climate and environmental agenda, which focuses on renewables, green H2 and new energy. Will also collaborate with UK firms to develop defence and aerospace technology.”
Johnson later spent almost an hour at the Gujarat Biotechnology University (GBU), which is now under development in the Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City) in Gandhinagar. The institution was founded by the state government in conjunction with Edinburgh University in the United Kingdom.
Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, state Science & Technology Minister Jitu Vaghani, Secretary (Department of Science & Technology) Vijay Nehra, Chief Secretary Pankaj Kumar, and Chief Principal Secretary to the CM K Kailashnathan were among those who accompanied Johnson.
Johnson visited two laboratories and had a closed-door discussion with the Chief Minister at GBU. For around 15 minutes, he chatted with academic members and research scholars. The UK Prime Minister also took part in a picture opportunity with GBU personnel.
