UK’s Minister Catherine West: UK Dedicated to Free and Open Indo-Pacific
Pic source: X post from Catherinewest1
London: The UK’s Indo-Pacific Minister, Catherine West, has reiterated the UK’s commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific region. In a keynote speech at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, Minister West emphasized that the UK and India share an enduring commitment to the region’s freedom and openness.
Catherine West underscored the importance of India’s role in driving global progress on climate and sustainable development. As the world’s most populous nation, India is uniquely positioned to make a significant impact.
During her recent visit to Delhi, West engaged in discussions on a range of key issues, including climate action, technological innovation, healthcare, education, and development. She emphasized the potential for collaborative efforts between the UK and India to address these pressing challenges.
The minister highlighted three key reasons why the Indo-Pacific is crucial for the UK: boosting economic growth, tackling climate change, and strengthening national and global security. These shared challenges require collaborative efforts, and the UK is committed to working with regional partners to address them.
Minister West also discussed the UK’s engagements with various countries in the region, including Singapore, India, and Australia. She emphasized the importance of cooperation on issues like climate change, clean energy, and maritime security.
The UK’s approach to China was also addressed, with Minister West emphasizing the need for cooperation on global challenges while also protecting national security and values.
The minister reaffirmed the UK’s long-term commitment to the Indo-Pacific region, with a focus on building a rules-based international system. The UK is committed to working with regional partners to promote peace, security, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific.
West said that The UK and India are aligned in their commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific region. The UK is working closely with India on maritime security initiatives, including the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative. Recent naval exercises have laid the groundwork for further cooperation in the region, with opportunities for enhanced defense collaboration on the horizon.
