Johnson ‘not here to lecture us on Ukraine’: What India hopes to get from UK PM’s visit

Russia, trade and respect are high on Delhi’s list as the British leader visits, writes Maroosha Muzaffar

Boris Johnson and Indian PM Narendra Modi (PA Wire)

British prime minister, Boris Johnson is all set to fly to India for his — rather delayed — two-day visit to the South Asian nation.

Beset by the latest Partygate scandals at home, Mr Johnson lands in India on 21 April in the western state of Gujarat – India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s bastion – and is expected to announce a major investment in some key industries there. The next day, on Friday, he is expected to hold a meeting with Mr Modi in New Delhi.

Even as Mr Johnson faces a critical vote by MPs over whether to launch an investigation into claims the prime minister misled Parliament, it was reported that the trip to India was “definitely happening”.

Mr Johnson happens to be the first European head of government to visit India since Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine and experts predict that India’s response to Russia is expected to be on the agenda.

Downing Street has said that the PM will encourage his Indian counterpart to loosen ties with Russian president Vladimir Putin. But at the same time, according to No 10, Mr Johnson has also said that Britain “would not seek to lecture other democratically elected governments on what course of action was best for them”.

This stance has been noted – and appreciated – in the Indian media coverage ahead of the visit.

Previewing the trip for India’s Times Now, journalist Dipavali Hazra said that while “the west may be unhappy that India has not joined its Europe war by taking sides... it clearly cannot ignore ties with one of the fastest-growing economies either.

“UK prime minister Boris Johnson’s visit to the country comes amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine, but he is not here to lecture PM Narendra Modi on India’s neutrality.”

Prior to his visit, Mr Johnson said that “as we face threats to our peace and prosperity from autocratic states, it is vital that democracies and friends stick together”.

He added: “My visit to India will deliver on the things that really matter to the people of both our nations – from job creation and economic growth to energy security and defence.”

Manish Priyam, an India-based political analyst, points out a crucial detail.

“Mr Johnson is coming to India. India is not going to the UK,” pointing out that the UK recognises the power that India has now on the global stage.

“Even [Vladimir] Putin had paid a visit to India. At that time no one had predicted that he was going to invade Ukraine.”

On Tuesday, Mr Johnson addressed the Cabinet and said that the UK had a “deep and long-lasting partnership” with India, which he would “seek to expand”.

Analysts believe that India might also raise the issue of extradition of economic offenders during Mr Johnson’s visit.

Mr Johnson is also expected to aim to accelerate progress in the Free Trade Agreement that was launched earlier this year. This agreement claimed to boost Britain’s trade with India by £28bn by 2035, as well as the defence partnership. The two leaders will finalise a timeline to complete the negotiations.

On Ukraine, Ms Priyam says that India has not sided with the western powers and “not toed the Nato line”. She says that India has maintained its own diplomatic line.

She says that Mr Johnson’s visit also gives him a chance to communicate to the Indian PM what the popular opinion on Ukraine is in the west. Ms Priyam says that India is a huge market that no country can afford to ignore.

India has abstained from voting on the United Nations resolutions condemning Russia’s actions in Ukraine. Instead, it has called for a cessation of hostilities and a peaceful resolution of the matter.

Mr Johnson is coming to India. India is not going to the UK

Manish Priyam, political analyst

Professor Harsh V Pant, vice president of Studies and Foreign Policy at Observer Research Foundation in New Delhi, says that it would be difficult for the UK PM to persuade Mr Modi to align with the west against Russia.

He told the Independent: “The fact that this visit is happening at a time when the two nations have divergent views on the Ukraine issue underscores the fact that this is a long-standing strategic relationship.”

He added: “I think the world now better understands India’s position and the two countries are intent to build a comprehensive, wider, deeper relationship.”

Last year in May, India and UK launched a “Roadmap 2030 for India-UK future relations” during a virtual summit.