Prime Minister Narendra Modi today addressed an India-UK joint press conference with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who is in India on a two-day visit for the first time since he took office as the UK PM.

Johnson emphasized on deepening India-Britain cooperation considering the shared interest in keeping the Indo-Pacific region free and open, particularly in the face of growing threats of autocratic coercion.

"We're taking forward an ambitious ten-year roadmap for British-Indian relations that we agreed on last year, it was great to see you (PM Modi) at the G-7," Johnson said while delivering a joint statement after holding talks with PM Modi here at Hyderabad House.

He further added that since then, the "threat of autocratic coercion has grown even further and it's therefore vital that we deepen our cooperation including our shared interest in keeping the Indo-Pacific open and free."

"In challenging times, it is very important that we get closer together. India, certainly the largest democracy is one of the defining friendships of our times," Johnson said.

Speaking about the bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, UK Prime Minister said that "We have had wonderful talks today and have strengthened our relationship in every way. The partnership between India and Britain is one of the defining friendships of our time."

He also lauded India's vaccination programme and said, "I've the Indian jab (COVID-19 vaccine) in my arm, and it did me good. Many thanks to India."

Johnson noted that the UK is contemplating creating an India specific open general export licence with reducing bureaucracy and delivery times for defence procurement.

Emphasizing joining hands with India is confronting threats, he said, "We've agreed to work together to meet new threats across land, sea, air, space and cyber including partnering on new fighter jet technology, and maritime technologies to detect and respond to threats."

He also highlighted that India and UK are embarking on joint initiatives on malaria vaccine on antimicrobial resistance, and the digital partnership between the Indian National Health Authority and National Health Service (NHS).

At the press conference organised by the UK High Commission, responding to whether India discussed the human rights groups' , concerns where Prime Minister Modi has presided over growing cultural Hindu nationalism in India, Johnson said, "On our relations with India and how we deal with the question about human rights group, Of course, we have these conversations (on human rights or democratic values). The advantage of our friendship is that we can have them in a friendly way. It's very important to realise that India has constitutional protections for communities."

He further said, "India is a very different country from autocracies around the world. It's a great democracy. It's a stunning, shining fact that 1.35 billion people live under a democracy. That is something we should celebrate as it offers us an opportunity for closer cooperation and partnership."

In reply to a query related to the extradition of Nirav Modi and Vijay Mallya at the press conference, Johnson said the UK government wants them to be taken back to India for trial and it does not welcome people who want to use the British legal system to evade the law here in India.

"On the two individuals that you mentioned, the extradition case, there are legal technicalities that made it very difficult. But what I can tell you is that the UK government has ordered their extradition," Johnson said.

"We have said from our point of view we want them to be taken back to India for trial, perhaps I should just say, we welcome people, who have talent and brilliance coming from India coming to the UK, we don't welcome people who want to use our legal system to evade the law here in India," he added.

Boris Johnson started his day in New Delhi by paying tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at his Samadhi at Raj Ghat here. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar called on Johnson and discussed bilateral ties and the implementation of the India-UK Roadmap 2030.

Image courtesy: ANI