BORIS Johnson will jet off to India in January next year for a bumper post-Brexit trade trip.
The PM’s visit will help boost investment ties with India – already worth a massive £24 billion a year to the UK economy.
Mr Johnson said he was “delighted” to be visiting India, and will invite the PM Narendra Modi to attend the G7 summit as one of three guest countries – alongside South Korea and Australia.
“I am absolutely delighted to be visiting India next year at the start of an exciting year for Global Britain,” Mr Johnson said.
The PM said he is looking forward to “delivering the quantum leap” in the UK’s relationship with India.
He added: “As a key player in the Indo-Pacific region, India is an increasingly indispensable partner for the United Kingdom as we work to boost jobs and growth, confront shared threats to our security and protect our planet.”
Mr Johnson and his Trade Secretary Liz Truss have been working to sign trade deals and cement ties with countries across the world to prepare for a post-Brexit Britain.
Last week, Ms Truss signed agreements with Singapore and Vietnam, and agreed a deal with Canada earlier this month.
Defence, security, health and climate change will also be at the top of Mr Johnson and Mr Modi’s agenda during the visit.
Indian companies in the UK have a massive combined turnover of £41.2billion.
There are also more than 400 British companies in India.
And India is supplying over a billion doses of the UK’s Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine in mammoth effort to roll out jabs to Brits.
Britain’s relationship with India also helped solve the personal protective equipment crisis, by supplying 11 million face masks.
Downing Street said a stronger relationship with India would create more green jobs in areas such as renewable energy and electric vehicles, as Mr Johnson tries to hammer home his efforts to make Britain carbon neutral by 2030.
The PM will also attend India’s annual Republic Day parade in New Delhi.
