Boris Johnson Praises PM Modi as "The Change-Maker We Need" in New Memoir
Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson praises Indian PM Narendra Modi as a "change-maker" in his memoir Unleashed, crediting their partnership for strengthening India-UK ties. Johnson reflects on their meetings, shared vision, and efforts to boost trade, military, and technological collaboration between the two nations. (with inputs from PTI)
London: Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has lauded Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his memoir Unleashed, describing him as the "change-maker" that the world needs. The memoir, set to hit UK bookstores soon, chronicles Johnson’s dynamic political career and devotes significant attention to his relationship with Modi and the strengthening of India-UK ties.
In a chapter titled Britain and India, Johnson recalls his first meeting with Modi, describing a “curious astral energy” he felt in the Indian leader’s presence. He praises Modi as "exactly the partner and friend" he needed during his tenure, crediting their cooperation for laying the groundwork for a future free-trade pact between India and the UK.
Johnson reflects on the deepening bond between the two nations, calling it "a relationship as good as it has ever been." He highlights the strategic importance of the India-UK partnership, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region, and emphasizes their shared vision for the future.
Recounting their first encounter when Modi visited Johnson’s office by the river Thames during his time as Mayor of London, the former UK leader writes, “He raised my arm and chanted something in Hindi. Though I didn’t understand, I felt his energy and knew he was the change-maker our relationship needed.”
Johnson also reveals how the UK Foreign Office had initially discouraged him from meeting Modi during a 2012 trade delegation to India. However, the relationship later flourished, reaching what he describes as an "all-time high" during his tenure as prime minister.
The former UK leader, who shares personal ties to India through his ex-wife Marina Wheeler's Sikh heritage, expressed admiration for India and its culture. He also took pride in the diverse composition of his Cabinet, which included prominent British-Indian figures like Rishi Sunak and Priti Patel.
Johnson reflects on the challenges in enhancing bilateral trade, noting the slow pace of progress due to trade barriers. He humorously laments UK visitors arriving with "duty-free booze" for Indians seeking affordable Scotch whisky.
In the memoir, Johnson recalls his "tremendously successful" visit to India in January 2022, describing it as a much-needed morale boost amid domestic political turmoil that eventually led to his resignation from office. He also shares his attempts to encourage Modi to reconsider India’s long-standing ties with Russia amid the Ukraine conflict, questioning whether India should continue relying on Russian military hardware.
Johnson credits himself with broadening the India-UK partnership beyond trade and climate initiatives to include military and technological collaboration. Despite the challenges posed by India's historic closeness to Russia, Johnson says his government agreed to work on joint military technology projects, including submarines and helicopters.
The former prime minister’s memoir also touches on his ouster from office, which he attributes to the resignation of Rishi Sunak as Chancellor in June 2022. Though Johnson holds no bitterness, he suggests that if the Conservative Party had remained united, they could have won the 2024 general election.
Unleashed offers an inside look at Boris Johnson’s political career, his relationships with global leaders like Modi, and his vision for the future of UK-India relations.
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