Gordon Brown's visit to india is, regardless of Party affiliation, a good piece of classic British foreign policy - if only these glimpses of far-sightedness were more regular from the New Labour administration.
British calls for Indian representation as a permanent member of the UN Security Council is no bad thing. firstly, China is the only Asian regional power currently represented (and Sino-British relations are filled with less happier events such as the Hong Kong lease and the Opium Wars of the mid-nineteenth century). Second, it is politically a single-party state.
India offers Britain the chance to develop a more relevant "special relationship" for the 21st century - even if the 21st is not the "Asian century" beloved of pundits, it will be important to be present and have a few favours banked - Why not do so with the largest, English speaking democracy in the World which also has a beuraucracy based on the British civil service - Sir Humphrey, Clive of India and Palmerston will no doubt be smiling today - "well done, Prime Minister"
As a lover of Indian versus Chinese cuisine I see this as a doubly astute move.
No comments:
Post a Comment