Coronavirus | Amid surge, Narendra Modi cancels travel to Europe

EU-India summit to be virtual; U.S., U.K, issue advisories on trips to India

With an uncontrollable surge of coronavirus cases in India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has cancelled his travel to Europe next month, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced. The decision was taken after discussions with the European Union leadership and the Portuguese government, that was going to host the summit in Porto, and had invited leaders of all 27 countries that comprise the EU to attend the meeting with Mr. Modi. “In view of the situation, it has been decided, in consultation with the EU and Portuguese leadership, to hold the India-EU Leaders’ Meeting in a virtual format on 8 May 2021. The India-EU Leaders’ Meeting in the EU+27 format, the first time that such a meeting is being held, reflects the shared ambition of both sides to further deepen the Strategic Partnership,” MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said. The cancellation comes a day after UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson cancelled his visit to India in view of the pandemic. Both the U.K. and the U.S. have also announced travel restrictions and advisories to citizens against travelling to India at this time. Mr. Modi was expected to travel to France during the same visit, which too, is now put off.