UK might join QUAD to counter China, claims international media

London/Moscow: – The United Kingdom might join the QUAD group formed by India, the United States, Japan and Australia to counter the ambitious Chinese activities. The Russian media reminded that British Foreign Minister Dominic Raab, who was on a visit to India last month, had given a clear indication about it. Whereas, as per the British media, a senior US official had indicated that the United Kingdom might join QUAD.

Last month, British Foreign Minister Dominic Raab had visited India and had met Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar. This visit of the British Foreign Minister to India, during the Coronavirus crisis, had been significant. During the visit, Foreign Minister Raab had indicated that the United Kingdom, who is coming out of the European Union, may join the QUAD group. However, Raab did not mention QUAD formed by India, the United States, Japan and Australia. But following these statements by Foreign Minister Raab, media from both the countries had said that the United Kingdom was keen on joining QUAD.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson had presented a proposal to expand G7 with the inclusion of the democratic countries India, South Korea and Australia. The United States had welcomed this proposal. Kurt Campbell, who has been selected in the Biden administration for policies regarding Asia, had mentioned this proposal in one of the magazines. He had also supported the British prime minister’s stand by saying that building such an organisation against China was necessary.

Meanwhile, the Johnson government in the United Kingdom has criticised China’s action against the pro-democracy protestors in Hong Kong. The United Kingdom announced that it supports the freedom and sovereignty of Hong Kong and will keep on issuing passports to the anti-China protestors. But China expressed regret over the British announcement. The Chinese foreign ministry has said that these passports issued by the United Kingdom are not recognised in China. Therefore, tension has been created between China and the United Kingdom over the Hong Kong issue.