U.K. military bases given to U.S. to reduce impact of war on millions of Indians in Gulf, says U.K. Deputy High Commissioner
Global energy markets were shaken just days after the outbreak of the US-Israeli war with Iran, with oil prices rising sharply on fears of further supply disruptions. in a short conversation with HinduShalini Medepalli, British Acting High Commissioner for Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry, spoke about the crisis emerging in West Asia that has severely damaged both the State and other parts of the country, as well as the decision to engage with Kerala under the India-UK Comprehensive Trade Agreement (CETA).It provides India’s access to the UK market.
Britain recently decided to allow the US to use its military bases to strike Iran’s missile sites, hours after its base in Cyprus was hit by a drone. Has the UK government assessed the impact of this situation on the foreign population?theGulf, 3.5 million Keralites included?
First of all, our thoughts are with the innocent people involved in these events. Of course, the immediate priority is the safety of UK citizens and our staff across the region, restoring regional stability as quickly as possible, and acting in the UK’s national interests through calm leadership and diplomacy. We did not participate in the ‘initial attacks’ and we are not currently participating in ‘acts of aggression’. Our decision to allow the United States to use our bases supports ‘defensive action’ to reduce the threat of Iranian retaliation. This is to prevent Iran from firing missiles into the region, killing innocent civilians, risking the lives of British citizens, risking the lives of millions of Indians living and working in the region, and striking countries that are not involved.
What role is the UK playing in diplomatic efforts to alleviate the crisis?
Continued intense diplomacy and close military coordination are vital in the days ahead, and we support action that will help bring a rapid resolution to this conflict and end Iran’s reckless and escalatory response, including the economic pain it has inflicted by targeting Iran’s oil and gas facilities. Britain’s long-standing principle is that the best way forward for the regime is to reach a negotiated agreement with Iran in which it abandons its nuclear ambitions. The Secretary of State contacted the UK to express its solidarity with its partners in the region, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar and Kuwait, many of whom have been targets of Iranian attacks, which we strongly condemn. The Foreign Minister also met with his G7 counterparts. Our priority is to restore regional stability. Civilians must be protected and our thoughts are with the innocent people affected.
How does the UK plan to secure tariff reductions? CETA Can it translate into tangible gains for regional exporters and MSMEs in coastal states like Kerala in India?
Kerala’s seafood exporters, particularly those trading in prawns, tuna and cuttlefish, are now set to gain zero-duty access to the UK market. This will increase price competitiveness, increase margins, strengthen demand and facilitate smoother entry into the UK market. Similarly, in the spice segment, especially pepper and cardamom, exporters from Kerala will benefit from duty-free access, reducing costs and supporting higher shipment volumes. Similarly, Indian coffee will enter the UK tariff-free, removing significant cost barriers for producers and providing faster, more competitive access to market.
How will the India-UK Free Trade Agreement concretely improve mobility and employment opportunities for skilled professionals in States like Kerala, as well as providing service providers with access to UK markets from here?
The deal allocates 1,800 UK visas per year to chefs, yoga instructors, classical musicians and other service providers. This creates a great opportunity for Kerala’s wellness and hospitality sectors. Additionally, the agreement improves the prospects of professionals in Kerala in the UK job market by creating a time-bound framework for Mutual Recognition of Qualifications (MRQs) in regulated professions.
