United Kingdom
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Boris Johnson’s focus on India-UK
Comprehensive Strategic Partnership
·
Agreement on transformation of defence &
security cooperation
·
UK’s joining Indo-Pacific Ocean’s Initiative under
Maritime Security pillar welcomed
By Jai Kumar Verma
New Delhi. May 2022. Indo-British ties despite having
roots in the raj, have developed into strong bonds both geo politically and
strategically. The two-day visit of British Prime Minister Boris Johnson to the
Indian capital was momentous and the world at large especially China was
keeping a close eye on the trip.
The visit of Prime Minister Johnson materialised after two postponements
is important as he took time for the visit although the world as well as UK are
facing several problems including spread of Covid pandemic, energy crisis,
climate change, Russia-Ukraine war just to name few. “As we face threats to our
peace and prosperity from autocratic states, it is vital that democracies and
friends stick together. India, as a major economic power and the world’s
largest democracy, is a highly valued strategic partner for the UK in these
uncertain times,” stated Johnson, ahead of the visit.
The visit became important as it came just few days after the tour of
Liz Truss, Foreign Secretary of United Kingdom. Not only this Ursula von der
Leyen President of European Commission also came to India after British Prime
Minister. In addition to these visits Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Russian
Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrovand, Nepalese Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba
visited in April while Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida visited New Delhi
in March and announced massive investment plans. However, the visit of US
deputy national security adviser for international economics Daleep Singh is
significant as he is the mastermind of the different sanctions imposed on
Russia. He tried to influence India so that New Delhi agrees for the sanctions
against Russia. But India continued with its independent foreign policy which
is in the interest of the country.
At present both India and China are pursuing more or less same policy on
the current Russia Ukraine war. Nevertheless, the visits of so many dignitaries
at this juncture is important hence China is not only keenly observing the
visits but also interested to know the outcome of these visits. China will host
the 14th summit of BRICS (Brazil-Russia-India-China-South Africa) in 2022 hence
also interested to know the developments in the region especially in
Indo-Pacific region. On Russia-Ukraine war the BRICS nations have taken more or
less analogous views.
UK is member of AUKUS along with United States and Australia hence China
which is keenly interested to enhance its share in European market is also
observing the visit keenly. In an article Global Times mentioned that since the
outbreak of Russia-Ukraine conflict the west especially US and its allies are
pressurising India to join their camp but India is following the policy which
is in its interest.
India’s arch-enemy Pakistan is also worried as large number of
dignitaries visited India which clearly indicates India’s rising clout in
international arena. On the other hand, Pakistan is facing innumerable
problems. Imran Khan was ousted and Shahbaz Sharif became the Prime Minister
but the economic problems are continuing. Several countries including United
States, Saudi Arabia, and China were unhappy with Imran Khan. Law and order
problem is deteriorating in the country and four persons including three
Chinese were killed in a bomb blast in Karachi. India haters in Pakistan are
claiming that India may attack Pakistan Occupied Kashmir as Russia attacked
Ukraine hence Pakistan should remain prepared for the same. This may be
distraction for the public as even the essential items have gone out of the
reach of the public.
Back in Delhi, both countries paid special attention to the visit and it
is apparent by the agreements signed and the joint statement issued after the
summit. The deals were majorly defence. The European countries realised that
now Delhi insists on the transfer of technology and production in India, which
is done by Russia. It appears that now the visiting Prime Minister agreed to
transfer technology pertaining to naval ships, jet engines, and aircraft. It is
also anticipated that India may participate in aviation and shipbuilding
programmes of UK. Johnson also promised to formulate India-centric Open General
Export License so that the bureaucratic hurdles can be removed. The UK policy
would also be helpful in the success of ‘Make in India’ policy of Indian
government.
It is also reported that Johnson offered India to join the sixth
generation Tempest Future Combat Air System programme which commenced in UK in
2018. Sweden and Italy are already partnering with UK in technology
development. Japan had also joined the project in developing some components.
India is weighing this proposal, as heavy expenditure is involved in the
project and India is already trying to develop its own fighter aircraft.
Britain wants to have Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with India. Delhi has
already signed FTA with U.A.E. and Australia. U.K. wants that India signs FTA
before it signs FTA with European Union. Some talks were held and it is
expected that FTA would be signed by October 2022.
The British International Investment would invest one billion dollars’
worth of green support. The India-UK Green Growth Equity would also
arrange $425 million to create green infrastructure projects. UK would also
furnish guarantee of $1 billion to the World Bank to promote green
infrastructure in India. Johnson also mentioned in its constituency that Indian
business companies would invest one billion pounds in UK which would create
about 1100 jobs. India expects that British business houses should also
establish manufacturing hubs in India so that India produces goods which can be
exported to nearby Asian and African countries.
Indian side also raised the question of repatriation of Indian economic
fugitives but the British side not promised anything and mentioned that the
executive cannot interfere in the judicial system of the country.
In the joint statement both the leaders “unequivocally condemned
civilian deaths and reiterated the need for an immediate cessation of
hostilities and a peaceful resolution of the conflict, which was having severe
implications across the globe, in particular for developing countries. They
emphasised that the contemporary global order has been built on the UN Charter,
international law and respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity of
states. They reaffirmed their willingness to provide humanitarian aid for the
people of Ukraine”. Nonetheless the joint statement has not condemned
Russia openly and according to diplomatic sources Johnson had not pressurised India
to condemn Russia. Johnson understood that Russia and India has a “historical
relationship” and India would not like to change its position.
The visiting Prime Minister also mentioned that a new sub group is
created under the Joint Working Group on Counter Terrorism. The sub group would
handle the Khalistani organisations functioning in UK.
In the summit both countries chalked out a 10-year roadmap on important
issues including defence, security, climate change, trade and people to people
contact besides other points. Both Prime Ministers also exchanged views on
regional and global issues of mutual interest including cooperation in the
Indo-Pacific, Afghanistan, UNSC, G20 and Commonwealth. India welcomed the UK
joining Indo-Pacific Ocean’s Initiative under Maritime Security pillar and
agreed to enhance engagements in the Indo-Pacific region. The following
announcements were also made – (I) Strategic Tech Dialogue – Ministerial-level
dialogue on new and emerging communication technologies such as 5G, AI etc. (II)
Collaboration on Integrated Electric Propulsion – Co-development of technology
between the two Navies.
Overall, the Narendra Modi-Boris Johnson charm worked and the visit
created the right atmosphere for discussion, gave a momentum to the already
existing collaborations, pushed forth new partnerships and above all made the
Indo-British handshake stronger.
(Jai Kumar Verma is a Delhi-based
strategic analyst and member of United Services Institute of India and
Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses. The views in the article are solely
the author’s. He can be contacted at editor.adu@gmail.com)
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