PM Modi to hold talks with UK PM Boris Johnson on Pakistan and China

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is all set to have a conversation with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Friday with the belief that the visiting dignitary will override long-standing vested interest in his country and open a new chapter in bilateral ties.

It is reported that Johnson will inaugurate a factory in Gujarat tomorrow and then hold official meetings in Delhi on Friday.

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During his visit, India hopes that the UK reviews its position on Pakistan and China and takes a stand that is befitting of a true democracy. Indian officials have been frustrated by UK’s long-standing association with Pakistan’s military and its inability to call spade a spade on terrorism directed towards India from the Islamic Republic.

India has noted the role played by the then UK Chief of Defence Staff Gen Nick Carter in getting the Rawalpindi GCHQ involved in Afghanistan for the past years because of which ISI supported Haqqani Network is ruling Kabul today.

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While the Indian leadership will have a candid and unvarnished discussion on the Ukraine war with Johnson, New Delhi will point out the alliance between the Pakistan and UK military over getting Taliban and Haqqani terrorists to seize power in Kabul and destroying human rights of minorities in that country.

India is facing a terror threat from Pakistan with jihadists using night vision devices and M-4 assault rifles in Jammu and Kashmir.

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Although the UK wants to convert India against Russia over Ukraine and now promotes an Indo-Pacific strategy, London put trade on a priority with China and opened sensitive technologies like 5G, nuclear and high-speed rail with the hope of becoming the financial hub of China’s Belt-Road Initiative.

The role played by UK based pro-Khalistan groups in funding and supporting the farmers agitation in India against the now withdrawn farm laws will also be raised by New Delhi.

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During the visit, PM Modi and PM Johnson will discuss taking bilateral trade forward through the free trade agreement (FTA) route with discussions already on between officials of the two countries. PM Johnson has an opportunity to open a new chapter with India but a relationship among equals and without condescension.