Britain seeks new India ties in "spirit of humility" (News Feature)

By Anna Tomforde Jul 28, 2010, 15:41 GMT

London - The British government's declared goal of fostering ties with the world's emerging economic powers in pursuit of the national interest is on full display this week.

During his first visit to India as prime minister - and a preceding trip to Turkey - David Cameron has sought to make clear that he has understood the need to adjust to changing times.

'I have come to your country in a spirit of humility,' he wrote in the newspaper The Hindu in advance of his visit. 'I know that Britain cannot rely on sentiment and shared history for a place in India's future.'

But Britain still hopes to be India's 'partner of choice' in the years ahead. 'Starting this week, that is what we are determined to deliver,' he wrote.

Using similarly frank language, the Conservative prime minister made a forceful plea for Turkey's membership in the European Union, praising the country's unique influence in the Middle East - and especially on Iran - while openly clashing with the position of EU heavyweights Germany and France.

'For a man who aspires to lead a government of 'quiet effectiveness,' David Cameron has had a noisy 24 hours,' the Times newspaper commented on Wednesday.

But, just as in the case of India, Cameron's political rhetoric appears to be driven by economic ambition. He is well aware that Britain's trade with Turkey has declined, while both France and Germany have increased their trade links with Ankara.

Coming ahead of a major review of defence and security strategy this autumn, and amid massive spending cuts, the discussion now under way reflects his Conservative-Liberal coalition's desire to adjust and survive in a changed global environment, commentators said.

Cameron's assertiveness - tinged with a degree of sensitivity over historic links - is also seen in Britain as an example of the new 'dynamic' foreign policy proclaimed by Foreign Secretary William Hague.

'Britain must engage with new allies around the world or risk becoming an ever-declining power,' Hague said in his first major foreign policy speech last month.

The goal should be the pursuit of national interest, he added.

'Put simply, the world has changed and if we do not change with it, Britain's role is set to decline with all that that means for our influence in world affairs, our national security and our economy,' Hague said.

He listed India, Brazil, Turkey and Indonesia as being prime targets for the new policy approach.

Conservative media have hailed the search for greater global influence as a 'heartening echo of the Thatcher era,' suggesting that Britain's influence abroad had waned under 13 years of Labour rule.

But others have been critical of the approach.

In a BBC interview Wednesday, Cameron denied that he was 'talking Britain down' by stressing the humility of his approach to India.

'There is no one more patriotic about Britain, our history, our place in the world, our potential, than me,' Cameron said.

However, in a changing world, Britain needs to adjust.

'We do still punch above our weight in the world for many reasons - not lest the brilliance of our armed forces and our proud traditions, history and institutions, all of which I am madly proud of,' Cameron said.

'But at the same time, if you want to win strong relationships with countries like India and China, you have got to talk about the future,' he added. 'Taking a realistic view of our position and place in the world and how we are going to build those relationships is, I think, a very sensible thing to do.'

Britain was right to target India as a prime candidate for improved trade relations as a long-term goal, the Independent newspaper commented Wednesday.

But, unlike major western nations, India and its fellow economic powerhouses have no need to adjust to an age of austerity.

They are, therefore, 'calling time on their willingness and ability to nurse the world back to financial health without help from the West,' the paper wrote.