Rishi Sunak, reiterated his pro-Brexit vision, rejecting any compliance with European Union (EU) legislation in favour of collaboration on common challenges like as illegal migration.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has reaffirmed the United Kingdom’s commitment to a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with India as part of the country’s broader focus on strengthening connections with the Indo-Pacific region. Delivering his first big foreign policy address since taking over at 10 Downing Street last month, the British-Indian leader reminisced on his history and promised to spreading British ideals of “freedom and openness” throughout the globe in a speech Monday night at the Lord Mayor of London’s Banquet.
He also promised to “do things differently” with regard to China, which he described as posing a “systemic challenge” to British principles and interests. “Before entering politics, I invested in enterprises all around the world.” Sunak added, “And the opportunity in the Indo-Pacific is enticing.” “By 2050, the Indo-Pacific region will account for more than half of global growth, compared to only a quarter from Europe and North America combined.” That is why we are entering the Trans-Pacific Partnership, or CPTPP, delivering a new free trade agreement with India, and pursuing one with Indonesia,” he added. “My grandparents, like many others, moved to the United Kingdom from East Africa and the Indian subcontinent.” In recent years, we have welcomed thousands of travellers from Hong Kong, Afghanistan, and Ukraine.
“We are a country that defends democracy via actions, not just words,” he said.
Sunak stated that the UK’s approach to China should “evolve,” as he distanced his administration from a term employed by the previous Conservative Party-led government to define UK-China bilateral ties little over seven years ago. ”
To be clear, the so-called “golden time” has come and gone, as has the foolish notion that trade would result in social and political progress. We should not, however, depend solely on Cold War rhetoric.
We recognise that China poses a systemic threat to our values and interests, a threat that is becoming more severe as it pushes toward greater authoritarianism “He was cautious.
The 42-year-old former chancellor agreed that the UK cannot simply ignore China’s “importance” in international events, something that other major economies, like the United States, Canada, Australia, and Japan, recognise.
“So we’ll handle this escalating rivalry collectively, including via diplomacy and dialogue. Much of this is about significantly enhancing our resilience, especially our economic security “Sunak said.
Sunak reiterated his pro-Brexit vision, rejecting any compliance with European Union (EU) legislation in favour of collaboration on common challenges like as illegal migration. He also said that the UK will support Ukraine in its struggle with Russia as part of Europe’s “common commitment” to defend democratic ideals. “After years of pushing the envelope, Russia is now questioning the core values of the United Nations Charter.” China is intentionally competing for global influence by employing all of its state power tools. Short-termism or wishful thinking will not suffice in the face of these issues.
We can’t rely on Cold War ideas or techniques, or on nostalgia for the past. As a result, we will take a step forward in our strategy “He stated. Sunak said that further information on the UK’s foreign policy perspective will be released in the new year in an updated ‘Integrated Review,’ which will also encompass stronger coordination with the Commonwealth. “We will not accept the status quo under my leadership. We’ll do things differently this time. We will evolve, anchored always by our enduring belief in freedom, openness, and the rule of law, and confident that our interests will be protected in this time of challenge and competition.
“Our ideals will triumph,” he said. The Lord Mayor’s Banquet at Guildhall in London’s financial district is an annual event at which the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom addresses business executives, international dignitaries, and foreign policy specialists on the subject of foreign policy.
