Be A Patron
Be A Patron
HomeWorldBoris Johnson to visit India in April-end to ‘unlock’ Indo-Pacific opportunities
World

Boris Johnson to visit India in April-end to ‘unlock’ Indo-Pacific opportunities

thenews21bureau
By thenews21bureau

@the_news_21

Prime Minister Boris Johnson will visit India at the end of April on his first major international tour following the UK’s exit from the European Union, Downing Street has announced, as Britain seeks to “unlock” the opportunities in the strategic Indo-Pacific region.

The announcement of the visit, which had been postponed from a planned Republic Day tour in January due to the escalating COVID-19 crisis in the UK, comes as Johnson launches the conclusions of the UK government’s Integrated Review of defence, security, development and foreign policy – a post-Brexit policy vision that falls within a wider Global Britain agenda.

A central foreign policy shift included in the review is a definitive tilt towards the Indo-Pacific region as the “geopolitical centre of the world”, which includes the UK applying for partner status of the ASEAN economic union – of which India is a sectoral dialogue partner.

“This year the Queen Elizabeth Carrier will undertake its first operational deployment to the region alongside NATO [North Atlantic Treaty Organisation] allies, the UK is applying for partner status at the Association of South East Asian (ASEAN) nations and at the end of April the Prime Minister will travel to India on his first major international visit following our departure from the European Union (EU),” Downing Street said on Monday.

The India visit, which Downing Street said would “unlock the opportunities in the region”, is widely expected to finalise a much-anticipated India-UK Enhanced Trade Partnership (ETP) as a precursor to a free trade agreement (FTA) in the future.

Lord Tariq Ahmad, the minister for South Asia in the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), is currently in India to add further momentum behind the ETP expected to be signed by Johnson and Prime Minister Narendra Modi when they meet next month.

The Integrated Review, which has been conducted over the last year, is dubbed the most comprehensive articulation of foreign policy and national security approach published by a British government in decades.

The 100-page document sets out a vision for 2030 and how the UK will use its international policy to achieve it.

“The foundation of our foreign policy is who we are as a country: our values, our strengths and – most importantly – our people. So, I am determined to ensure we have a foreign policy that delivers for those people,” said Johnson.

“Our international ambitions must start at home, and through the Integrated Review we will drive investment back into our communities, ensuring the UK is on the cutting-edge of innovation and creating an entire country that is match-fit for a more competitive world,” he said.

The review is designed to address the challenges that come with a more competitive world, where some countries attempt to redefine the international order and – in some cases – “undermine the open and liberal international system that emerged in the wake of the Cold War”.

It is intended to underline that the UK cannot rely on an “increasingly outdated international system” to protect its interests and promote its values.

Instead, it will establish a new government foreign policy of increased “international activism” and a UK working with allies to shape a more open international order in which democracies flourish.

“As we champion an international order in which democracies flourish we will harness the fundamentals of the British approach to foreign policy and national security: a defence of democracy and human rights; the importance of our relationship with the US; our constant work to keep the people of the UK safe from terrorism and serious organised crime; and our leadership on international development – as we continue to be one of the largest aid contributors in the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development),” a government statement said.

It will build on the country’s new sanctions regime, which has already imposed sanctions on over 50 human rights violators including Russia, Myanmar and Zimbabwe and will continue to address human rights abuses like China’s repression of the Uighur minority in Xinjiang.

The new Integrated Review, accompanied by a statement in the House of Commons, is also geared towards tackling issues such as climate change and preserving biodiversity.

“Our exit from the EU means we can pursue independent political and economic choices rooted in our interests and those of our allies,” Downing Street added.

The government agenda for this post-Brexit plan also includes finalising agreements with countries covering 80 per cent of UK trade by the end of 2022.

thenews21bureau
thenews21bureau
Previous article
Madhya Pradesh: Digvijaya Singh takes dig at Centre over Kumbh amidst rising Covid-19 cases
Next article
Banking services in Maharashtra impacted on second day of nationwide strike

RELATED ARTICLES

175 COMMENTS

  2. can i purchase clomid online can i purchase generic clomid without rx can i order generic clomiphene prices clomiphene generic cost can i buy cheap clomiphene price can i buy clomid no prescription where can i get generic clomiphene without dr prescription

  92. RR99 là một nền tảng giải trí trực tuyến được xây dựng theo hướng đơn giản nhưng hiệu quả, chú trọng vào tốc độ truy cập và sự tiện lợi cho người dùng. Nội dung trên RR99 khá đa dạng, giao diện dễ làm quen và được tối ưu để hoạt động ổn định trên nhiều thiết bị khác nhau.

  95. RR99 là nền tảng giải trí trực tuyến hiện đại, cung cấp đa dạng sản phẩm như cá cược thể thao, casino live, game bài, nổ hũ và bắn cá. RR99 nổi bật với giao diện dễ dùng, tốc độ xử lý nhanh, bảo mật cao và dịch vụ hỗ trợ chuyên nghiệp 24/7. Đây là lựa chọn phù hợp cho người chơi tìm kiếm sự uy tín, tiện lợi và trải nghiệm mượt mà trên mọi thiết bị.

  99. Mình thấy dạo này cái tên f8bet được nhắc khá nhiều trên các diễn đàn giải trí trực tuyến. Có vẻ nền tảng này tập trung khá mạnh vào trải nghiệm người dùng và hệ thống nội dung đa dạng, phù hợp với nhiều nhóm người quan tâm khác nhau.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Must Read

spot_img

TheNews21 is India’s independent digital news and investigative platform founded by senior journalist Vivek Bhavsar. From our Mumbai newsroom, we expose corruption, analyse political power, track governance and public policy, and report on issues that directly impact citizens. Alongside investigations, we bring credible coverage of national politics, economy, foreign affairs, business, crime, and civic matters. Our journalism stands firmly on the principles of independence, accuracy, and public interest — No Fear, No Favour.

Quick Links

Popular Articles

Taiwan Seeks ‘Meaningful Dialogue’ With China

SC stays production warrant issued against comedian Munawar Faruqui in case lodged in UP for allegedly hurting religious sentiments

Facebook removes nearly 200 accounts linked to white supremacy groups

Plus 2 lecturers forum meets Principal Secretary Education over New Education policy and other issues

Maharashtra: Man sets himself ablaze outside Vidhan Bhavan in Mumbai

Maharashtra: 1 killed, 8 injured in clash between two groups in Akola; 26 people detained

Ad