BORIS JOHNSON on Thursday (17) extended greetings to “friend” Narendra Modi on his 70th birthday, expressing hope that the two leaders would meet soon.
The two prime ministers are known to share a strong personal rapport, with the prospect of his visit to India next year under consideration, contingent upon the Covid-19 restrictions.
“Very best wishes to my friend @NarendraModi on his 70th birthday. I hope to see you soon,” he said on Twitter.
The Indian high commissioner to the UK, Gaitri Issar Kumar, hinted that Johnson could visit India soon during a webinar on ‘India-UK relations post-Covid and post-Brexit’ organised by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) in London on Wednesday (16).
“India and the UK are in an enhanced engagement mode, in pursuit of an early harvest trade agreement,” the envoy said.
Modi had formally invited Johnson to India during congratulatory phone call after the 2019 UK general election.
However, an expected visit this year failed to materialise due to pandemic constraints, with early 2021 being considered as a possible time-frame.
The leaders last met on the sidelines of the multilateral G7 summit in Biarritz, France, last year.
Modi's last visit to the UK as prime minister was during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in April 2018, during which he held bilateral meetings with then prime minister Theresa May.
Earlier this year, Modi had sent Johnson a personal Twitter message to Johnson when he was down with Covid-19.
“You're a fighter and you will overcome this challenge as well. Prayers for your good health and best wishes in ensuring a healthy UK,” he said.
Viram Jasani 
