\n<\/p>\n
The deals Mr Johnson announced will be across industries, from software engineering to healthcare, as well as a collaboration on satellite launches. <\/p>\n
It is claimed they will be worth \u00a31bn to the British economy, promising 11,000 jobs in the UK as a result.<\/p>\n
Speaking to reporters on a visit to a JCB plant in Vadodara, owned by Tory Lord Bamford, the PM said it was “an absolutely amazing example of the synergy [and] the synthesis between UK technology and Indian technology”. <\/p>\n
He added: “The opportunity for us to deepen our friendship [with India] and our ties is enormous.”<\/p>\n
The prime minister will also use the visit to push for a post-Brexit free trade deal with India, with a fresh round of negotiations set to begin in the country next week. He said he hoped it would be signed “by the autumn”.<\/p>\n
But difficult conversations on the invasion of Ukraine are also likely, given India’s strong ties with Russia.<\/p>\n
The country has not criticised Russia directly since it invaded and did not join the condemnation during a United Nations vote on the issue.<\/p>\n
The UK has been trying to persuade India to reduce its reliance on Russia, with Foreign Secretary Liz Truss travelling to the country last month for talks. <\/p>\n
The PM told reporters he had already raised the issue of Ukraine with Prime Minister Modi, but he said the country had condemned the “atrocities” in Bucha<\/a>.<\/p>\n He added: “As I think everybody understands, India and Russia have historically a very different relationship than perhaps Russia and the UK have had over the last couple of decades, we have to reflect that reality.<\/p>\n “But clearly I will be talking about it to Narendra Modi.” <\/p>\n<\/div>\n