Boris Johnson arrives in India seeking trade, and Western backing against Russia from Narendra Modi

UK prime minister vowed to press Narendra Modi for a reduction of fossil fuels from Russia during talks, amid India’s non-criticism of Ukraine invasion

Downing Street said it would seal two-way investment deals worth more than US$1.3 billion, creating almost 11,000 jobs in Britain during Johnson’s trip to India

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Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson has a traditional turban tied on his head as he arrives to visit the Gujurat Biotechnology University, in Gandhinagar, part of his two-day trip to India. Photo: Pool via AP

Published: 11:28pm, 21 Apr 2022Updated: 12:34am, 22 Apr 2022

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said he hopes to broker a post-Brexit free trade deal with India “by the autumn” in an apparent hastening of his ambition.

The prime minister has indicated a deal will include accepting Delhi’s demands for an increase in migration to the UK, ahead of meeting his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi.

Johnson had earlier put his target for a deal at the end of the year but appeared to shorten the time frame during an interview in Gujarat, on the first day of his two-day visit to India.

Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson scatters rose petals during his visit at the Swaminarayan Akshardham temple in Gandhinagar. Photo: Pool/ AFP

Ahead of meeting Modi on Thursday, the prime minister told broadcasters: “We’re hoping to complete another free trade agreement, with India, by the end of the year, by the autumn.”

Johnson has vowed to press Modi for a reduction of fossil fuels from Vladimir Putin’s Russia during talks in Delhi, amid concerns he has not been critical enough of the invasion of Ukraine.

But the British prime minister was facing renewed calls in India to speak up for minorities and democratic rights as he visited a JCB factory, while bulldozers are being used to tear down Muslim-owned properties in communal violence.

He indicated he would bring up those issues during talks with Modi, who is accused of damaging India’s democracy and of whipping up anti-Muslim sentiment.