King Charles plans trip to India in 'hugely encouraging' boost to monarch's cancer recovery

The King and Queen are considering making plans to travel to the Indian subcontinent in the near future as he continues his recovery from his cancer diagnosis this year

A trip to the Indian subcontinent would mark a significant boost in the King’s health as he continues his recovery from cancer.

It may also signal a resumption of his plans to visit India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, which had to be abandoned after the Queen’s death in September 2022. Number 10 is keen on drafting in Charles and Camilla to launch a charm offensive as Britain seeks to establish significant economic links in a post-Brexit world.

A source said: “It’s hugely encouraging to be able to make such plans for the King and Queen given the year the monarch has had, but it’s very much full steam ahead. A tour of the Indian subcontinent is in the offing, which will be of huge political and cultural significance for Britain on the world stage. The King and Queen are the perfect ambassadors at such a time.”

Foreign Office officials have been given the green light to open discussions with potential host nations for royal visits, and proposals for tours of India, Pakistan and Bangladesh are being drafted. Indian PM Narendra Modi is understood to have expressed his desire to host the King and Queen Camilla after they had to cancel their trip last time.

However, there are concerns about a visit to the country due to Mr Modi’s growing closeness with Russian tyrant Vladimir Putin. The pair met at the BRICS summit of world leaders last month and on Tuesday, Putin hailed Russia ’s “strategic partnership” with India.

However, Mr Modi has insisted Moscow’s illegal war in Ukraine should be “ended peacefully”. As Prince of Wales, Charles visited Pakistan with Camilla in 2006 for a week. He told wellwishers: “It has taken me very nearly 58 years to reach you and it’s not from want of trying, I can tell you.”

The couple also visited in 2019 to further improve the ties between the two countries. In November that year, Charles took his 10th official trip to India, focusing on climate change, sustainability and social finance. He visited the Meteorological Department in New Delhi, rode in an electric rickshaw and met environmentalist Sunita Narain.

And last month, the King and Queen stopped off in the country for a spa break after their tour of Australia and Samoa. Sources said Charles would “relish” the opportunity to return officially as monarch.

Palace officials said last month he was preparing to embark on a full overseas tour schedule after the trip to Australia and Samoa proved the “perfect tonic”. The Mirror revealed this month the couple are preparing for a tour to Italy in spring, as the government seeks to strengthen ties with Europe.

Italy will be celebrating a holy Jubilee year in 2025, that begins on Christmas Eve and lasts until Epiphany 2026. It is a major event for the Catholic Church and a time of celebration, leading to speculation the royals could meet the Pope.

The Palace did not comment last night.