UK PM Boris Johnson cancels R-Day visit to India

New Delhi/London: British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Tuesday cancelled his upcoming official visit to India on Republic Day, keeping in view the recent spurt in cases of new strain of Novel Coronavirus in the United Kingdom.

''The Prime Minister spoke to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi this morning, to express his regret that he will be unable to visit India later this month as planned,'' an official statement from the Downing Street said.It further said that the decision has been taken in light of the national lockdown that was announced last night.

"The speed at which the new coronavirus variant is spreading, the Prime Minister said that it was important for him to remain in the UK so he can focus on the domestic response to the virus," the statement added.

Mr Johnson had on Monday re-imposed a lockdown in England, to combat the rapid spreading of the new COVID-19 strain in the country. India has, till now, recorded 58 cases of the new COVID-19 strain, according to the Union Health Ministry, including 20 cases reported earlier in the day. (UNI)