December 4, 2020
2 mins read

Modi Invites Boris As Chief Guest At Republic Day

The invitation from Modi is tactical and timely as the transition period for Brexit ends on December 31 and it’s almost certain that the UK will go for a ‘hard Brexit’ – a clean break from Europe. If confirmed, it will be after a gap of 27 years that a UK Prime Minister will be the chief guest at India’s 70th Republic Day next month…reports Asian Lite Newsdesk

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has formally invited UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson to be the chief guest for the Republic Day celebrations on January 26, 2021.

The invitation was extended by Modi to Johnson during their phone conversation on November 27, sources said. It is after a gap of 27 years that a UK Prime Minister will be the chief guest at India’s 70th Republic Day next month. John Major was the last British Prime Minister to attend the Republic Day parade in New Delhi in 1993.

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi

The government is yet to confirm Johnson’s visit. However, Prime Minister Modi hinted in a tweet on November 27 that India-UK are embarking on an ambitious partnership. “We agreed to work towards a quantum leap in our cooperation in all areas – trade and investments, defence and security, climate change and fighting Covid-19,” Modi had tweeted.

The invitation from Modi is tactical and timely as the transition period for Brexit ends on December 31 and it’s almost certain that the UK will go for a ‘hard Brexit’ – a clean break from Europe which will entail Britain giving up membership of the EU’s single market, allowing it to to trade freely with EU members without restrictions.

The hard Brexit is likely to disrupt UK’s economy, which even after four years of the Brexit vote, is for most practical purposes still functioning as part of the EU. To reduce the adverse effects of the economic disruption, the UK has been looking for trading opportunities elsewhere. Prime Minister Johnson has offered a free trade agreement with India, given its huge market.

Johnson’s visit to New Delhi next month will be significant for trade negotiations between the two countries.

Previous Story

UN urges global solidarity to combat Covid-19

Next Story

Biden chooses Brian Deese as director of NEC

Latest from -Top News

Russia, US Hold Talks on Ukraine War

The talks focus on a partial ceasefire and halting hostilities to bring the war to an end…reports Asian Lite News Russia and the United States began consultations in Riyadh on Monday to

WHO Calls for Urgent Steps to Eradicate TB

Every year, 10 million people fall ill with TB. Despite being a preventable and curable disease, 1.5 million people die from TB each year – making it the world’s top infectious killer….reports

Pakistan Slaps Terror Case on Baloch Activists

Mahrang is currently lodged in Quetta District jail along with 150 others after the brutal crackdown on the Baloch leaders at their protest camp…reports Asian Lite News Pakistan has accused Mahrang Baloch,

Carney Calls Snap Election Amid Trump’s Pressure

Carney Sets April 28 Election to Reset Ottawa’s Global Ties…reports Asian Lite News Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney has called a snap election as his country faces US President Donald Trump’s onslaught,

UNICEF Alarmed by Rising Child Crimes in Bangladesh

The agency’s monitoring revealed that from January 2025 to March 16, media and local human rights organisations recorded approximately 50 cases of child rape….reports Asian Lite News The United Nations Children’s Agency
Go toTop