India will soon have the largest population in the world, and in ten years is predicted to have the third-largest economy and defence budget. It is no wonder that Prime Minister Boris Johnson was keen to visit New Delhi for the country’s national day last month.

While Covid may have cancelled this trip it has not put a break on the UK’s post-Brexit ambitions. While the government still wants to boost trade and investment ties outside of the European Union, its vision for a “Global Britain” is about more than economics. All the signals suggest that the forthcoming Integrated Review will tilt the UK towards the Indo-Pacific. While talk from Downing Street focuses on expanding the G7 into a broader alliance of democracies. In part both initiatives are a response to growing concerns about an increasingly assertive China although other interests are at play too. Whatever the motivations, New Delhi appears to be an ideal partner for Britain in the years ahead.

But is this really the case? Questions have been raised about tensions over human rights, the baggage of Britain’s colonial rule, and New Delhi’s relative indifference. Factors which could frustrate attempts to strength this relationship. The Henry Jackson Society invites you to this timely discussion on UK-India ties which will cover both the challenges and opportunities for cooperation between both countries.

Dr David Scott is a member of the Center for International Maritime Security (CIMSEC). He is a prolific writer on the Indo-Pacific, on Indian foreign policy, and on national strategies being pursued for the Indo-Pacific region by various actors like the UK and others.

Jyotsna Mehra is a New Delhi based researcher of Indian foreign policy in the Indo-Pacific. She is a Pacific Forum Young Leader who holds an Msc in Modern South Asian Studies from the University of Oxford and a BSocSc in Politics and International Relations from the University of Manchester.

Pratik Dattani Managing Director for EPG Consulting and was previously UK Director for the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry. He currently serves as an advisor to Bridge India, a think-tank dedicated to helping India-watchers understand India better.

Gray Sergeant is a Research Fellow in the Asia Studies Centre. He studied International Relations and History at the London School of Economics and went on to complete a Master’s in Chinese Politics at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS). Most recently, he completed a one year Mandarin language programme at National Taiwan University. Prior to joining HJS, Gray held various positions including campaign roles for the Labour Party in, as well as working in the UK Parliament. In addition, he spent several years in human right advocacy, with a specific focus on Tibet. In 2017 he co-founded Hong Kong Watch, which monitors freedoms and the rule of law in Hong Kong, and is currently the organisation’s Chair.

You can RSVP for your tickets HERE

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