UK no longer a superpower, says British diplomat

LONDON : Indian diplomats have long remarked that the Foreign Office is “stuck in the colonial past”, but there are signs of change: an Indian-origin British diplomat says he is grateful that Britain does not have an empire anymore and is not a superpower.

Britain’s dwindling standing in international relations has been noted in recent years, more so after the 2016 referendum to leave the European Union, but the remarks by diplomat Nik Mehta in a speech last week suggests a nuanced reappraisal of itself and its global role.

Mehta, charge d’affaires of the British Embassy Seoul, expounded on Britain’s colonial past in the speech at Yonsei University, noting the UK has a more complex historical legacy than most countries. “And it’s not all good. I strongly feel that we must acknowledge our past – the good and the bad. The process of reconciliation and revisiting the past is not an easy one. The UK’s colonial legacy will remain controversial, but what’s important is that we continue to learn the lessons of our history”, he said.

Mehta listed Britain’s major contributions to global history, and added: “The UK is no longer a superpower. And we don’t have an empire any more – a fact which I for one am grateful for. I am also proud that I can stand in front of you as a British diplomat and as a son of Commonwealth immigrants. I continue to believe that diversity remains one of the UK’s greatest strengths”.