UK should form Indo-Pacific centric policy to counter Chinese influence,

London: The United Kingdom should make its foreign policy, Indo-Pacific centric, against the background of the changing global scenario. A renowned British thinktank appealed that the United Kingdom should create a democratic opponent on the military, economic and diplomatic level, to challenge the Chinese influence. Whereas, the China-linked group, disturbed with the changes in the British policies, has threatened that the United Kingdom will suffer major financial losses if it stopped trade with China.

The British political leaders, in the report written for the think tank ‘Policy Group’, have suggested changes in the British foreign policy, to British Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Over the last few years, the United Kingdom has increased its cooperation with democratic countries, India, Japan, South Korea, Australia and Taiwan. The think tank has said in its report that that the United Kingdom should strengthen the cooperation with these countries further, prioritising the democratic values.

The thinktank has also criticised the British foreign policy in the 2010 decade. Ten years ago, British foreign policy was China-centric. But the think tank pointed out that during this period, other economies prospered well too and this was not noticed. Whereas, Germany and France have announced that priority will be attached to the Indo-Pacific sector and comprehensive cooperation will be established with India. The thinktank criticised that the United Kingdom is lagging behind these two countries, in taking such a decision.

The thinktank has also suggested that along with the foreign policy amendments, the United Kingdom should send its military and navy to the Indo-Pacific sector. Reports have already been received that a British aircraft carrier has already set sail for the South China Sea.

Meanwhile, while the British thinktank is advising the Johnson government to make its policies Indo-Pacific centric, ‘China Chamber of Commerce in the UK’ has threatened the United Kingdom. The group threatened that if the United Kingdom did not withdraw the ban on Chinese companies Huawei, ZTE and Air China, the United Kingdom would have to face a huge financial crisis.