India key for UK’S post-brexit focus in Indo-pacific: Study

LONDON: Britain needs to focus on the Indo-pacific region to avoid being caught between two worlds– not quite a European power nor a global power – post Brexit, a leading think-tank has said .

To do this, Britain will need to go to Asia by sea, even if it may remind many of its erstwhile empire built mostly through its naval power, said a study titled Global Britain in the Indo-pacific by the influential Henry Jackson Society.

The analysis by John Hemmings has been released in the context of the recent visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi when, for the first time, the phrase “Indo-pacific” was mentioned in an India-uk defence statement on future plans of the Royal Navy and Indian Navy.

The report said: “Despite the threats and challenges on the UK’S periphery like Russia and the Middle East, the fact is the future of global trade, global geopolitics, and global power are trending toward Asia and the UK must go there or risk being left behind.

“There are also trends in maritime trade and maritime security that mean that if Global Britain is going to go to Asia, it must go by sea.”

Mentioning the so-called “quad countries” of India, Australia, Japan and the US, the report said it saw much potential for Britain to engage closely with the group in the context of China’s growing presence and plans in the area, including the Belt and Road Initiative.

THE REPORT ALSO SAYS THAT BRITAIN COULD WORK WITH JAPAN TO FINANCIALLY SUPPORT INDIA’S DESIRE TO MATCH CHINA’S INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS.