By james art The Prime Minister has outlined plans for a greater naval presence in the Pacific as he prepares to wrap up his visit to Samoa for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (Chogm) on Saturday.
As he met his Singaporean counterpart, Sir Keir said UK foreign policy could not only address challenges close to home, but also help address issues facing allies further afield.
The increased naval presence will include more joint patrols in the world’s largest ocean to strengthen the security of small island nations, respond to natural disasters and combat illegal fishing.
The patrols play a role in a strategy adopted by the UK in recent years, called the Indo-Pacific tilt, which aims to counter China’s growing influence and ensure the West has a large presence in the region.
“My visit to the Pacific this week has only reinforced how important this part of the world is to the UK’s prosperity and security, and I know that in business, trade and defense we also play a vital role in supporting the region,” the Prime Minister said.
Sir Keir added: “As responsible international players, we cannot turn a blind eye to the challenges facing our friends and partners on the other side of the world, so my message today is clear: this is just the beginning of our commitment to Indo-Pacific.
“By combining expertise, local knowledge and investment, I truly believe we can create unique opportunities for people both in the Pacific and at home, thereby playing our part in ensuring a safer and fairer world.” “
The Royal Navy recently conducted its first anti-illegal fishing patrols in the Pacific alongside New Zealand and Fiji.
Give me five!
The five are members of #FPDA: Great Britain, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and Malaysia. 🇬🇧🇦🇺🇳🇿🇸🇬🇲🇾
Their military forces combined for Ex Bersama Lima (“Five Together”) with @HMS_Spey representing RNs.
— Royal Navy (@RoyalNavy) October 24, 2024
It now plans to extend this offer to other Pacific island nations to help them protect sea lanes and their economies.
The UK has two patrol vessels permanently stationed in the Indo-Pacific, including HMS Tamar, which provides security support at Chogm.
The Prime Minister met the crew of the Tamar on Friday and heard about their role in responding to a distress call from the Royal New Zealand Navy ship HMNZS Manawanui, which sank after running aground on a reef earlier in October.
On Saturday, the prime minister met with Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, after Defense Minister John Healy hosted his Singaporean counterpart in London on Thursday.
Following the face-to-face meeting, the two leaders announced that as part of the UK’s Carrier Strike Group deployment to the Indo-Pacific in 2025, HMS Prince of Wales will visit Singapore in a bid to strengthen defense ties.
Meanwhile, the UK plans to expand its economic reach in the Pacific region with a new “Pacific Business Club” with the Australian government.
Britain will also provide extra money for an initiative aimed at protecting small islands in the ocean from the effects of climate change.