UK intends to establish persistent military presence in Indo-pacific: Gen. Nicholas Carter

UK Chief of Defence Staff General Nicholas Carter informed on Tuesday, October 19, that country intends to establish a "persistent" military presence in Indo-pacific region. Speaking at a podcast organised by Centre for a New American Security, Carter said that visit of warships to region will t be on a regular basis but will rar be episodic, news ncy Sputnik reported.

General Carter furr remarked that United Kingdom has h a long-standing relationship with numerous countries in region, dating back to British Empire and said that London maintained an elite jungle warfare school in Brunei, on island of Borneo.

"In due course, friends and partners will be able to attend our jungle warfare school in Brunei. We have always h a large number of servicemen and women from se nations, besides having at least 350 Gurkhas as staff. We are going to build on those lengthy associations," Carter was quoted as saying by Sputnik.

He also clarified that UK's planned expansion to Indo-pacific region will t be accompanied by any reduction in London's contribution to and participation in NATO.

Meanwhile, India and United Kingdom h ir first maritime discussion, during which y dressed maritime cooperation, as well as Indo-Pacific, regional, and multilateral cooperation.

UK, US and Australia's military pact on Indo-Pacific cooperation

tably, last month, Australia, United Kingdom, and United States signed a security arrangement, AUKUS, to "ensure peace and stability" in Indo-Pacific region. anuncement came as Australia unilaterally withdrew from a $66 billion deal with France's Naval Group for delivery of 12 diesel submarines, opting inste for provision of nuclear-powered vessels through AUKUS alliance. 

In AUKUS's project, US and UK have committed to help Australia in developing and deploying nuclear-powered submarines. initial talks of AUKUS deal began at G7 Summit hosted by UK in June 2021 and AUKUS pact was anunced on 15 September. trilateral military pact was signed with an aim to protect Indo-Pacific from China’s dominance and shield post-1945 global order.

(Im: AP/ANI)