The prime minister’s trip to India next week has been cancelled, Downing Street has confirmed.

India is experiencing a surge in cases of COVID-19, while there are fears about the emergence of a new variant of the virus in the country.

Announcing the decision, the British and Indian governments said in a joint statement: “In the light of the current coronavirus situation, Prime Minister Boris Johnson will not be able to travel to India next week.

“Instead, Prime Ministers Modi and Johnson will speak later this month to agree and launch their ambitious plans for the future partnership between the UK and India.

“They will remain in regular contact beyond this, and look forward to meeting in person later this year.”