"The role that India has played during the course of the coronavirus pandemic as the pharmacy of the world has been phenomenal", the UK minister said as he prepared for a five-day, five-city tour of India.

The minister of South Asia in the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), highlighted the close collaboration between the two countries on ensuring supplies of COVID-19 vaccines, which benefits countries across the globe through the United Nations-led COVAX facility.

"The role that India has played as the pharmacy of the world has been phenomenal, stated the minister during a pre-visit virtual interview on March 12. Our relationship with India is not just one of bilateral importance, it's also about how these two countries are working together and there's no better illustration than the current COVID-19 pandemic which grips us. The strong collaboration we have seen between the UK and India in responding across the world, including through the COVAX facility which is helping the more vulnerable countries in the world", he said.

"Equally, we are looking forward to furthering cooperation with India in its tenure as a Security Council member. Environment and climate change, healthcare, technology the relationship between the UK and India is an important one across all these sectors and more", he added.