Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon, the distinguished UK Minister of State for the Middle East, South Asia, UN, and the Prime Minister’s Special Representative on Preventing Sexual Violence, is presently in India to lead the UK delegation at the Raisina Dialogue. The minister seeks to underscore the United Kingdom’s unwavering dedication to preserving a “free and open” Indo-Pacific, a matter of strategic significance for both regional security and the UK’s economic imperatives.
In the face of escalating global uncertainties, Lord Ahmad articulates a profound linkage between the prosperity and security of the Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific realms. His assertion underscores the UK’s steadfast commitment to collaborative initiatives aimed at addressing the underlying causes of protracted conflicts, concurrently affirming the nation’s unequivocal advocacy for the principles of unhindered trade and navigation.
The UK delegation at the Raisina Dialogue includes Admiral Sir Ben Key, First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff, symbolizing the naval dimension of UK-India defense collaboration. Admiral Key is engaged in high-level discussions with senior leaders of the Indian Armed Forces to evaluate advancements in the bilateral defense partnership and deliberate on shared perspectives regarding prevailing global security challenges.
In addition to these substantive diplomatic endeavors, Lord Ahmad commemorates the second anniversary of Russia’s illicit incursion into Ukraine. He emphasizes the far-reaching implications of this event on global energy and food markets, reinforcing the interconnection between the Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific regions. The minister unequivocally affirms the UK’s enduring solidarity with Ukraine as it grapples with the enduring repercussions of this incursion.
Parallel to these deliberations, Lord Ahmad partakes in a plenary session with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and conducts pivotal discussions with key counterparts from the Government of India. These dialogues encompass the robust UK-India trade partnership, exploration of novel avenues of cooperation—particularly in the energy sector—and progress toward a comprehensive trade agreement, reflective of shared political will.
The fortification of the UK-India bilateral relationship stands as a cornerstone in the UK’s protracted foreign policy vision, as articulated in the Integrated Review Refresh. Lord Ahmad accentuates the enduring nature of the UK’s commitment to a “free and open” Indo-Pacific, asserting, “Against a backdrop of rising conflict and instability, the UK’s commitment is enduring.”
In a broader humanitarian context, Lord Ahmad engages in discussions concerning the crisis in Gaza with prominent figures from the Middle East on the sidelines of the Raisina Dialogue. Reflecting on his recent visit to the region, the minister advocates for an immediate cessation of hostilities, facilitating humanitarian aid and the release of hostages, and heralding a sustainable and permanent ceasefire.
