Prime Minister Narendra Modi has formally invited his United Kingdom counterpart Boris Johnson as the chief guest for India’s Republic Day celebrations in 2021. The British government is yet to give a reply to the formal invitation.
According to reports, Modi had invited the British Prime Minister during a telephonic conversation on November 27. Reportedly, the conversation between the two Prime Ministers was positive and Johnson invited Modi for the 2021 G7 summit, which will take place in the UK. According to official protocol, formal invitations for such events are sent from the central government to world leaders in order to make sure that they are available to attend the event.
If Johnson does accept India’s invitation, then he will become the first British Prime Minister since John Mayor to become India’s Republic Day chief guest. Mayor was the chief guest at the 1993 Republic Day celebration.
With the current Covid-19 pandemic situation in India and the United Kingdom, many are unsure if Johnson will fly down to India to attend the event. The pandemic has disrupted not only the common man’s life but also scheduled diplomatic meetings between various countries. This year, national festivals across the world were a low-key affair. Much like India’s Independence Day celebrations this year, the 2021 Republic Day is also expected to be a low-key affair.
