‘No transformative’: Chautham House Pans UK-India Free Trade Deal; Urge Wide Indo-Pacific Focus | Bharat News

New Delhi: As Prime Minister Narendra Modi prepares for his much awaited visit to the UK to formally sign the UK-India Free Trade Agreement (FTA), a new report of the major British think tank Chautham House is urging the UK government to urge the UK government to comprehensize its Indo-Pacific strategy beyond the trade deal with India.In its latest research paper, ‘Why the Indo-Pacific must be a high priority for the UK’, the Royal Institute of International Affairs, usually known as the Chautham House, warns against a narrow bilateral approach. It asks for deep regional engagement throughout South Asia and widespread Indo-Pacific.Paper, written by Chietigj Bajpaeee, Olivia O’Sullivan, and Ben Brand, has warned that only focusing on India has sidelined other parts of South Asia, which are not experiencing uniform economic growth. As stated by PTI as saying, the report says, “In South Asia, the UK needs to build a limited business deal with India, which is to widen the scope of bilateral cooperation in such a way that the widespread foreign policy of the two countries take advantage of preferences (such as America and Global South)., The UK and India agreed to an FTA on 6 May, with the target of doubling between the two economies by 2030 by USD. The agreement is currently undergoing “legal scrubbing” and is expected to be formally signed during PM Modi’s meeting with the British Prime Minister Kir Stmper on Thursday.While the report admits that the FTA complements the comprehensive strategic partnership launched in 2021, it argues that the deal is unlikely to change bilateral economic relations significantly. The report stated, “The announcement of the conclusion of a free-trade agreement with India in the UK 2025 is stated by efforts to build a comprehensive strategic partnership expressed with New Delhi in 2021.”However, it says, “But given India’s protectionist tendency, any final deal is unlikely to be transformational for bilateral economic relations. That is why it is important that the UK government supports other channels that can expand trade and investment linkage, such as technology security initiatives that were launched in 2024.”Chautham House took precautions against India’s economy and fighting neighboring countries. PTI, citing the report, said, “More widely, India’s economy to grow more or less to gamble – in the absence of equal progress in neighboring economies – would be a poor condition.”Instead, it recommends expanding tripartite cooperation associated with UK, India and other strategic partners like France, Australia and the United States. The report urged the UK to “expand the UK links with India beyond the recently completed (and long -awaited) trade deal (and) (and) chase tripartial cooperation associated with UK, India and third country partners like France, Australia or America.” Exposing the global significance of Indo-Pacific, the paper notes that the region is home for most of the world’s population and is estimated to contribute more than 50 percent of global economic growth by 2050. Covering countries covering countries including South Asia, South East Asia and Pacific region, Australia, New Zealand and Japan, the region presents both risks and opportunities.“The region is important for British interests as it involves the security risks affecting the UK, presenting significant long-term economic opportunities, and insecure to climate risks-is not reduced-so that will have a major impact on the world,” the report stated, “the report said.Addressing China’s growing influence, the report suggests that while the UK has a limited potential to directly shape the functions of Beijing, it can help shape the regional environment. “Getting your approach to an Indo-Pacific right will also help the UK to manage the challenges of more powerful, vocal and globally effective China. Despite the limited ability to directly shape Beijing’s functions, the UK can affect the neighborhood in which China works with partners to establish and implement shared criteria, and supports regional countries, and supports regional countries to establish and apply. Is,”.Beyond South Asia, the report identified Australia, New Zealand, Japan and South Korea-“Indo-Pacific Four”-Essential partners were seen, where the UK should strengthen the relationship, especially in the middle of the “unstable” American foreign policy environment. South East Asia has also been exposed to offering “unique opportunities to expand the UK trade and investment”.