Vice president Dhankar meets King Charles III ahead of coronation

Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar met King Charles III in London ahead of the monarch's Coronation ceremony at Westminster Abbey on Saturday.

Dhankar is on a two-day visit to London from May 5 to 6 to attend the coronation ceremony on behalf of the Government of India.

"Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar met with King Charles III and conveyed greetings on the occasion of his Coronation. The Vice President reaffirmed commitment to further strengthen the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership," MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi tweeted.

Dhankhar, accompanied by his wife Dr Sudesh Dhankhar, will join an estimated 100 Heads of State and government from around the world invited to the historic crowning of Britain's new monarch.

"Hon'ble Vice President, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar & Dr Sudesh Dhankhar arrived to a warm welcome in London to attend the Coronation Ceremony of H.M. King Charles III," the Vice President's Office tweeted.

Soon after his arrival, the vice-president is expected to join other Commonwealth leaders for discussions hosted by Commonwealth General Secretary Baroness Patricia Scotland at Marlborough House in London.

This would be the first opportunity for Dhankhar to meet the 74-year-old monarch ahead of the ceremony at the Abbey.

He is also invited to Buckingham Palace for a reception hosted by King Charles for the Heads of State, world leaders and other official guests on Friday evening.

Later on Friday evening, Dhankhar will interact with members of the Indian diaspora at a community reception organised by the Indian High Commission in London.

"India and UK have a historic relationship and share values of democracy, rule of law and many complementarities and convergences.

''The relationship was elevated to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2021 with the adoption of Roadmap 2030 for Future Relations," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said with reference to the two-day Vice-Presidential visit to the UK.

The last visit of the Indian Head of State to the UK was that of President Droupadi Murmu, who visited the country in September last year to attend the State Funeral of the late Queen Elizabeth II and offer condolences on behalf of India.

Buckingham Palace has said that the Coronation Service of King Charles and Queen Camilla at Westminster Abbey will be attended by a congregation of more than 2,200 people.

Besides 100 Heads of State, guests attending will include members of the royal family, as well as international representatives from 203 countries alongside community and charity champions.

The majestic ceremony, complete with gilded carriages and regalia last witnessed 70 years ago when Charles' late mother was crowned Queen Elizbeth II in June 1953, will also have representation from a number of Indian-origin professionals.

(with PTI inputs)