Reawakening UK-India ties
Asad Mirza
While the Brexit saga keeps on unfolding and the race for the next prime minister ship heats up between Boris Johnson and Jeremy Hunt, an all encompassing and incisive report by the House of Commons on UK-India Relations has gone comparatively unnoticed by the media both in the UK and India.
The recently released report, prepared by the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee, which includes several members of the past governments who are well exposed to the different dimensions of India-UK relations, very well encapsulates various issues which dominate the optics related to the bilateral relations, reasons for or due to them and how they have been handled by the past governments in the UK.
The report starts on a very pragmatic note by noting that the UK is falling behind in the global race to engage with a rising India. Despite strong ties across investment, education and culture—and a shared commitment to democracy and to the rules-based international order—the relationship is not fulfilling its potential. India’s place in the world is changing fast, and UK strategy has not yet adjusted to this new reality. As the UK prepares to leave the EU, it is time to reset this relationship. UK cannot afford to be complacent or rely on historical connections to deliver a modern partnership. Britain needs to adapt its strategy to India’s enhanced influence, doing more to recognise and respond to New Delhi’s priorities.
Delving deep and incisively into the reasons for this down trend in the relationship and also offering remedial measures, the aptly titled report, ‘Building Bridges: Reawakening UK-India ties’, at very start makes pertinent points regarding the special relationship between the two countries, summing it up thus: ‘The Government is failing to make the most of this country’s extensive ties with India: the bilateral relationship is strong, but falls short of its huge potential. The Government cannot afford to be complacent or rely on historical connections to deliver a modern partnership. The UK needs to adjust its strategy to India’s enhanced influence and power: we should do more to respond to India’s priorities, and should communicate our own objectives more clearly. As the UK leaves the EU, our foreign policy priorities will change.’
On Trade, investment and movement of people the report says, ‘The challenges of concluding a full trade deal should not mean that the Government places economic ties with India on the back burner. The Government should prioritise trade talks with India and do more to lay the groundwork for an eventual deal. The FCO should lead a bold, well-resourced cross-government initiative to communicate clearly the approach and goals of Global Britain to Indian decision-makers, including the appointment of a champion for UK-India ties.’
On increasing avenues for UK businesses in India in the background of Indian business environment the report recommends, ‘The Government must improve access to targeted support for UK businesses in India, particularly start-ups and smaller businesses. In its response to this report, the Government should set out what it will do to respond to the criticism that UK businesses were not aware of the support offered by the Government and that accessing such support was a struggle for some. The Government should appoint a high-level and long-term dedicated trade envoy to India, with experience of the country’s business environment.’
Commenting on two vital areas of bilateral relationship i.e. the Indian students and tourists, the report is of the view that the UK has lost ground in its share of India’s students and tourists. In 2012 UK cancelled a post-study work visa that had allowed international students to work for two years after graduation. The UK’s list of “low risk” countries that enjoy relaxed student visa requirements includes China, but excludes India. Sir James Bevan, the former British High Commissioner to India told the committee that the primary reason for these differences was the perception that Indian nationals were more likely to overstay, whereas the families of Chinese nationals might face “consequences” if the person did not return.
The report very categorically notes its concern that the UK government’s policy has been driven by the single-minded objective of reducing net migration, championed by the Home Office, and that the Home Office and the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) have not been able to play enough of a one unified role in formulating government policy towards India.
The report covers literally all aspects of bilateral relationship between the two countries from security and defence ties, to global governance and FCO’s network in India, on which it is of the view that it should be extended to many more smaller cities in India. On Commonwealth the committee is of the view that if the Commonwealth is to remain relevant, India needs to be involved in setting
its future direction.
The committee further recommended that the FCO should work to ensure that India is more engaged with the Commonwealth, and design measures to involve it more closely in the leadership of the organisation. This could involve decentralising Commonwealth bodies so that more of its operations are run from India. Supporting the candidacies of Indian nationals to senior positions within the Secretariat may also help to encourage Indian engagement.
Proposals for India’s future role in the Commonwealth should be framed in terms of Indian priorities, including its deepening interest in infrastructure initiatives in Asia, development initiatives in Africa, and the ability to engage with a wide range of states. It will be essential for the UK to make a serious commitment to its role in a rejuvenated Commonwealth if it expects India to do the same. In its response to this report, the FCO should set out the tangible steps it will take—with timelines—to enhance India’s engagement with the Commonwealth. Specifically, it should give an update on the progress of reforms to the Secretariat, and its assessment of their implications for India’s role.
The report comes out as a well-intended, well-researched, well-documented and pragmatic document, with the sole aim of enhancing the bilateral relations between India and the UK. It flatly lays the duty of delivering at the FCO’s doorsteps and if indeed the next British prime minister follows the committee’s recommendations, then the scenario might change. The Indian government is indeed in favour of reversing the downfall in ties, but not at the cost of sacrificing its ties with other countries, and getting a second-hand deal for its citizens, and for this to be achieved, the British establishment will have to take pragmatic and well-intentioned steps. A political will along with well intentioned and focussed strategy seems to be the need of the hour.
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http://gawahweekly.com/reawakening-uk-india-ties/
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