The commentary comes in a context of renewed global concentration on the Indo-Pacific. (File)
New Delhi:
The UK said on Tuesday it saw great potential for collaboration with India in the Indo-Pacific as the two countries’ vision for the region was “very closely aligned”.
British Acting Commissioner for India Jan Thompson said cooperation in the Indo-Pacific on a range of issues, including maritime security and climate change, should be a major part of a 10 years being developed to further deepen bilateral relations.
“We see great potential for collaboration with India in the Indo-Pacific region. Part of the UK’s new international approach is likely to have a very significant tilt around the Indo-Pacific,” a- she declared during a virtual press briefing.
She said the vision of India and the UK was “very, very closely aligned” as both countries want to see a free and open Indo-Pacific region that supports the rules-based international system.
Thompson said a strengthened trade partnership launched by Trade Minister Piyush Goyal and UK Secretary of State for International Trade Elizabeth Truss on Monday could be a springboard for a free trade deal between the two countries.
The acting British commissioner’s comment comes against a backdrop of renewed global interest in the Indo-Pacific, given China’s relentless efforts to expand its economic and military influence in the region.
Thompson also said UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab is expected to visit India in the coming months, while Prime Minister Boris Johnson is also keen to come to the country.
Asked about the situation in Hong Kong, Thompson said the UK was concerned about some of the measures China had taken, including the imposition of the National Security Act.
She said Britain is committed to upholding Hong Kong’s autonomy and rights and freedoms under “one country, two systems.”
“We are concerned about some of the measures that China has taken with regard to Hong Kong, for example the National Security Law,” she said.
During the briefing, Thompson spoke at length about the trade ties between the two nations.
“Two-way trade between the UK and India is already at nearly £ 24 billion, an increase of almost 10% last year, and our investment relationship now supports over half a million jobs.
“As the UK adopts an independent trade policy, I am confident that this ambitious economic agenda that we are establishing with India will bring prosperity to both of our economies,” she said.
Referring to the coronavirus pandemic, Thompson said the UK was clear that no country can tackle the challenges alone.
“The UK-India partnership on health – with our cutting-edge research expertise and India’s unparalleled manufacturing capabilities will be essential. The UK is committed to ensuring that any vaccine, once developed, reaches those who need it, ”she said.
In the presentation, she also touched on the threat of climate change.
“Even as we work through this unprecedented crisis, we must not forget the other crisis that we must continue to work on for the future, the threat of climate change,” said Thompson.
“The UN’s COP26 climate conference in November next year, hosted by the UK in Glasgow, may be a time when the world comes together to help our societies build a better and greener future “, she added.
(This story was not edited by GalacticGaming staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
