As the United Kingdom announced a lockdown in the wake of the new mutant strain causing a surge in cases, UK PM Boris Johnson cancelled his visit to India. A statement by Downing Street spokesperson revealed that the UK PM spoke on phone with Indian PM Narendra Modi and expressed his regret in cancelling the scheduled visit to the sub-continent.
Meanwhile, India will witness for the first time a short Republic Day parade with fewer contingents marching on the Rajpath amidst strict restrictions and reduced audience. Unlike every year, the parade would begin from Vijay Chowk and will end at the National Stadium instead of the Red Fort. On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the 1971 war liberation, a contingent of the Bangladesh Armed Forces would be marching in the parade this year.
