India could be added to the UK's travel 'red list' as early as today after Boris Johnson cancelled his visit amid surging coronavirus cases and alarm about a new variant.
A joint statement from the British and Indian government said the trip - already scaled back - will not go ahead 'in light of the current situation'.
The news came amid rising expectation that the UK's restrictions on journeys to the country will be ramped up, with experts warning about the potential threat posed by a mutant strain.
During a visit to Gloucestershire, Mr Johnson told reporters: 'The red list is very much a matter for the independent UK Health Security Agency – they will have to take that decision.