Message hidden in Boris Johnson's visit, India important in UK's Indo-Pacific policy

After Brexit, the UK, which has burnt the strings of relations with Europe, is now trying to strengthen relations with the countries of the Empire era.

Despite photographs of British Prime Minister Boris Johnson spinning a spinning wheel in Sabarmati, his two-day visit to India will be noted for his efforts to heal Britain's wounds from Brexit.

By leaving the European Union and ending symbolic ties with Europe, Britain is now trying to strengthen trade and investment links with countries that were once part of the British Empire and are today known as Commonwealth countries. The Indo-Pacific is a very important region for Britain to compensate for the losses caused by Brexit and India is an important country for this.

India's chance

For India, this tour is like an opportunity. After exiting from the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), India was described as a country dragging its feet in the matter of free trade agreements. Therefore, whatever damage was caused by it, now India is engaged in completing it.

Earlier this year India signed a trade agreement with UAE . Now as Boris Johnson has expressed hope that the Free Trade Agreement will be signed between India and the United Kingdom by Diwali.

India has strained relations with China and is an important member of the Quad, an organization formed against China, the UK also took a decisive step in 2021 to become part of the anti-China military alliance AUKUS in the region. In view of these two reconciliations, India is very happy with this new round of relations with the UK.

The United Kingdom is the fifth largest economy in the world. And London, the capital of the UK, is still a global financial hub. It is also a major innovation center for science and technology with its world-renowned universities. These characteristics make it an important partner for a country like India.

The chemistry that has just improved in the relations between India and the UK was made last year through the Modi-Johnson virtual meet. In this, a 10-year roadmap was prepared, in which there was talk of strengthening partnership in five areas. Those five things were – health, climate change, people-to-people contacts, trade and investment, defense and security.

Business, Investing and Security: What's on the Tour

The main issues discussed during Johnson's visit to India are trade, investment and security relations. Both the countries are about to sign an agreement, which will start trading 65% of goods and 35% of services between the two. Both the countries hope that by 2030 the trade between the two countries will double through this trade agreement. At present, there is a business of about $ 50 billion between the two countries, 70% of it is goods while the rest is services. For this, in this tour, there was talk on strengthening business and partnership in the field of software engineering, science and technology, health. India is starting talks from April 25 to move forward on a free trade agreement with the UK.

The British High Commissioner's press note read that Johnson discussed increasing defense and security cooperation with India in "five domains" of water, land, air, space and cyber. The UK expressed its interest in assisting with the Indian fighter jet and helicopter programs and cooperation in the underwater battlefield. To support these efforts, Johnson announced that the UK would issue an Open General Export License (OGEL) to India that would facilitate technology and acquisition.

Common interests of India & UK

The interests of the UK and India in the Indo-Pacific region are almost the same. Both countries want to keep the Indo-Pacific open, inclusive and maintain a law-abiding region. The UK wants to further strengthen security ties with India.

But to do so, the UK will have to help boost India's domestic arms industry. As Prime Minister Narendra Modi said - India welcomes Britain's help in India's self-reliant defense program, especially in manufacturing, technology, design, and development.

In addition, as the joint statement issued after the visit stated that the scientific establishments of the two would .. provide "advanced security capabilities" through joint research, joint design and development. In addition, one for the Naval Electric System Special Joint Working Group will also be formed.

UK understands India's stand on Ukraine

The focus of geopolitical cooperation in India and the UK is to build a free, open, peaceful and secure cyber space through their cyber security partnership. This information was given by issuing a separate joint statement. In this, it has been said to work together on cyber governance, prevention and measures.

Of course, the Ukraine issue has also been discussed between the two. But it was also clarified that the main focus of this tour was not Ukraine. Boris Johnson certainly talked about the 'danger of arbitrary attacks', but it was only discussed during the conversation, it was not on the agenda.

The British government has made it clear that they understand the difference between the two different stands, such as Britain's strong support to Ukraine and the Indian PM Modi's impartial stance to resolve the Russia-Ukraine conflict peacefully and through dialogue.

Announcement of additional investment of 1 billion Great Britain pounds

India is the second largest investor in the UK. Therefore, it is not surprising that an additional investment of 1 billion Great Britain pounds has been announced in this tour, which will be used in electric buses, robotic surgery, artificial intelligence. Apart from this, emphasis has been given to increase partnership in the areas of climate, energy, healthcare system and vaccine.

The UK has proposed to give its offshore wind technology system to India. Apart from this, both the countries have agreed to move forward together in hydrogen science and innovation hub. Prime Minister Modi said that 1.6 million Indians living in the UK are the most important link in creating a special bond between the two countries.

At present, there has been talk between the two countries to move forward on resolving the tense issue of visa. Apart from this, the points system that the UK has implemented, the benefits being given to Indians were also discussed. On his visit, Johnson also said some promising things for Indian IT professionals when he said that there is a shortage of skilled IT professionals and programmers in the UK.

Source : the quint