Source · Select Committees · Foreign Affairs Committee
Eighth Report - Tilting horizons: the Integrated Review and the Indo-Pacific
Foreign Affairs Committee
HC 172
Published 30 August 2023
Recommendations
63
Rejected
Para 213
Set deadline for India-UK FTA and negotiate supply chain agreements with India.
Recommendation
We recommend that the Government set a deadline for the early conclusion of negotiations on the India-UK FTA. Unless already included in the FTA, the Government should also consider negotiating agreements with India similar to the UK-Australia supply chain and …
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Government Response Summary
The government rejects setting a deadline for the India-UK FTA, stating it will only sign a deal in the UK's best interests. It acknowledges the importance of resilient supply chains and existing trade/cooperation with India on manufacturing, but does not commit to new specific agreements with India or address maritime security cooperation.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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Conclusions (5)
1
Conclusion
Rejected
Para 20
The Indo-Pacific Tilt served to confirm an existing trend of increasing engagement with countries in the Indo-Pacific region and demonstrated the intent of Government to persist with and deepen this engagement in the long term. However, there has been no explanation of the outcomes that the Government expects from the …
Government Response Summary
The government disagrees with the committee's assessment that it has not clearly set out its long-term objectives for the Indo-Pacific Tilt, citing previous Integrated Reviews and ministerial speeches, and states it is increasing strategic communications resources in the region.
20
Conclusion
Rejected
Para 69
We welcome the Government’s China policy statement in general terms in the Refresh. However, this policy now needs to be fleshed out so that practitioners such as academics and businesspeople can be fully aware of the limits within which they can operate with and in China. The FCDO should explain …
Government Response Summary
The government states there is no need to publish an additional China Strategy to flesh out its policy, reiterating its existing approach of protecting national security, aligning with allies, and engaging where in UK interests, coordinated by the National Security Secretariat.
36
Conclusion
Rejected
Para 108
It is unacceptable that trade should be prioritised over human rights to the extent that states that regularly violate human rights can continue to do so unsanctioned and our consumers, wittingly or unwittingly, participate indirectly by buying products made in inhumane conditions.
Government Response Summary
The government explicitly disagrees with the committee's conclusion, stating that trade is not being prioritised over human rights and outlining existing measures to address human rights violations in supply chains.
49
Conclusion
Rejected
Para 165
[The UK’s “One China” policy is not the same as China’s “One China” principle. Rather than agreeing to China’s claim to Taiwan, the UK, like other liberal democracies, merely acknowledges Beijing’s position.] This policy of acknowledgment needs to be better understood across Whitehall departments to prevent policymakers from misspeaking or …
Government Response Summary
The government explicitly disagrees with the recommendation, stating it does not intend to publish an additional China Strategy, as its approach is already outlined in the Integrated Review Refresh and the former Foreign Secretary’s Mansion House Speech.
51
Conclusion
Rejected
Para 168
The UK Government must identify meaningful activities, and red lines, that enable it to shape and pursue an effective policy of deterrence diplomacy to contribute to 72 Tilting horizons: the Integrated Review and the Indo-Pacific the protection of the right of self-determination of the people of Taiwan. The last two …
Government Response Summary
The government explicitly disagrees with the recommendation, stating it will not publish an additional China Strategy to identify specific deterrence diplomacy activities or red lines for Taiwan, instead relying on its existing Integrated Review Refresh and Mansion House Speech approach to China.