PM Modi Congratulates Boris Johnson On Formally Taking Charge As UK PM

Boris Johnson, who took over as Britain's 77th Prime Minister on Wednesday, said he wants to "change the country for the better" and that the "work begins now".

Image tweeted by @narendramodi

New Delhi: As newly elected Prime Minister of Britain Boris Johnson officially took charge of his post on Wednesday, a day after his landslide victory in the Conservative Party leadership contest, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated him on his triumph and wished him success. “Congratulations @BorisJohnson  on assuming office as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.  I wish you success and look forward to working with you to further strengthen India – UK partnership in all spheres,” Modi tweeted.

Congratulations @BorisJohnson on assuming office as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

I wish you success and look forward to working with you to further strengthen India – UK partnership in all spheres. @10DowningStreet pic.twitter.com/ATWVf5fhHi — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 24, 2019

The 55-year-old former foreign secretary and London Mayor laid out his vision as Prime Minister in his first speech on the steps of Downing Street after a meeting with Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace, during which the 93-year-old monarch formally invited him to form a government after accepting Theresa May's resignation a little earlier. "We will restore trust in our democracy and we are going to fulfil the repeated promises of Parliament to the people and come out of the EU on October 31, no ifs or buts," Johnson said, adding that while he does have 99 days to that deadline, the country has had enough of waiting and the time to act on Brexit is right away. A picture released by the palace showed Johnson shaking hands with the 93-year-old monarch and bowing. Johnson, who has in the past described himself as a son-in-law of India by virtue of his now estranged wife Marina Wheeler's Indian mother - Dip Kaur, has stressed that the UK's relationship with India must run deeper than just trade. In reference to India-UK relations, Johnson is on the record saying he wants to pursue a new trade deal and is expected to build on his self-confessed "personal relationship" with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to deliver a "truly special" bilateral relationship.