Britain's King Charles III and his wife Queen Camilla is planning an official visit to India in the near future as part of a government charm offensive, media reports have claimed. As Britain seeks to strengthen its global ties in a post-Brexit era, the visit, which would mark a key milestone in the King’s recovery journey from cancer, is seen as a strategic move to bolster economic and cultural relationships with India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, Mirror reports.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is believed to have extended a warm invitation to the royal couple after they had to cancel their trip last time, as per reports. The 76-year-old monarch and his wife made a "private stopover" at a wellness resort in Bengaluru last month on their way back from Australia and Samoa and are believed to be planning a return.
King Charles' royal tour of India in offing
According to The Mirror, King Charles III may soon revive his plans to tour the Indian subcontinent, a trip that was initially postponed in 2022 due to the passing of Queen Elizabeth II.
"It's hugely encouraging to be able to make such plans for the King and Queen given the year the monarch has had, but it's very much full steam ahead," the newspaper quoted a source as saying.
"A tour of the Indian subcontinent is in the offing, which will be of huge political and cultural significance for Britain on the world stage. The King and Queen are the perfect ambassadors at such a time," the source said.
Against that backdrop and the recent meeting between Prime Ministers Keir Starmer and Narendra Modi at the G20 Summit in Brazil, Downing Street is said to be keen on drafting the senior royals to launch a so-called charm offensive as post-Brexit Britain seeks to establish closer economic ties with India.
Plans for royal visits to India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh are progressing, with the Foreign Office being signaled to open discussions with potential host nations.
According to reports, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed interest in hosting King Charles III and Queen Camilla, following the cancellation of their previously planned trip.
Source: The Economic Times
BDST: 1340 HRS, NOV 24, 2024
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