Lord David Cameron, currently the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, during an EXCLUSIVE interview with Asian Voice, just before the 2015 general elections had called himself as Britain’s first ever 'British Asian Prime Minister'. Under his leadership as UK’s Prime Minister for 6 years, the relationship with India and then newly elected Narendra Modi government had turned a new leaf. Lord Cameron was popular among the British Hindus, especially for starting the much talked about Diwali celebration at No 10 – that has continued till 2023. He also started Vaisakhi and Eid celebrations at No 10.
Like many among the diaspora, he visited the BAPS Swaminarayan Temple in Neasden with wife Samantha, often draped in gorgeous sarees. His young children were seen playing in traditional Indian clothes at the Downing Street Diwali, quietly picking up ‘ladoos’ (Indian sweets) from the table and running away.
His prediction in Wembley Stadium in front of 40,000 British Indians, who had gathered to welcome the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, that it would not be long before there was a British Indian Prime Minister in Downing Street, also came true.
Lord Cameron quit politics in 2016 after the UK voted for Brexit, and his return as the Foreign Secretary in 2023 raised many eyebrows.
As we go to poll in two weeks’ time, Lord Cameron speaks EXCLUSIVELY to Asian Voice about why the British Asian voters should support the Conservative party, UK-India special relationship, the strength of his party manifesto, the government’s foreign policy achievements and much more.
At the Foreign Press Association (FPA) briefing on last Thursday, you mentioned the UK-India FTA. We have had many promises over the last two years regarding this FTA, many Diwali deadlines have passed, but it remains in a deadlock even after some 14 rounds. Do you think if the Conservative Party wins, this UK-India FTA at all has a future?
Yes, absolutely. This Conservative government launched negotiations with India on a free trade agreement and our manifesto commits to finalising that agreement. We are aiming for a historic deal covering goods and services, which benefits both of our countries. In the negotiations we need to be ambitious on both sides and make the most of this once-in-a-generation opportunity.
Regarding India’s relationship with Russia, much has come under scrutiny. Britain has told the Indian government in its own way to reconsider it and therefore the trade deal between UK and India has also come under severe criticism. You, during your times as PM had renewed the UK-India relationship and taken it to a new dimension of closeness with the Modi government. Should the Tories be re-elected, and you remain in your current role, do you intend to bring up the Ukraine-Russia issue with India/open that dialogue with India?
My first bilateral meeting as Foreign Secretary was with Dr Jaishankar, India’s External Affairs Minister. We have a very close relationship with India, and we are able to talk, as friends, about a wide range of global issues and shared challenges – including Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the conflict in Gaza and the importance of the Indo-Pacific region to global growth and prosperity.
I believe the UK is a great defence partner for India. We already have a valuable defence relationship, exercising together across land, sea and air. We of course collaborate on counter-terrorism too.
The Conservatives have promised to raise defence spending to two and a half percent of GDP by 2030 without actually telling us how they'll pay for it. What is your comment on that?
The Conservative Party has a clear plan for steadily increasing defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by the end of the decade. It is vital that we sustain a clear focus on security, doing what is required to harden our defences in a more dangerous, insecure world.
Labour has failed to match our pledge, which shows they have failed to grasp the scale of the challenge.
What are the key foreign policy achievements of the Conservative government that you believe can help sway voters?
I am proud of our record on defence and diplomacy in an increasingly dangerous and contested world. We have been standing up for our values at a time when they are being openly challenged by our adversaries.
We have invested in our defences, strengthened old alliances and forged new ones. We have led the world in support of Ukraine, taken bold action to degrade the capabilities of the Houthis and built a formidable sanctions programme to deter those who wish to harm our democracy and economy.
We’ve stood behind Israel’s right to defend itself in line with international humanitarian war and also done everything possible to get more aid into Gaza by land, sea and air.
Furthermore, we have established the AUKUS security partnership to support a free and open Indo-Pacific.
And to support the most vulnerable people and help build a better world, we spent £15.4 billion on official development assistance last year.
What is your vision for the UK's role in the world if the Conservative Party wins the general election?
Conservatives will continue to ensure Britain remains a force for good in the world, with an outward looking and global perspective.
We are clear that we must be prepared to tackle the axis of authoritarian states and hostile actors who are working together to threaten international security. And we will work against the global rollback of people’s rights and freedoms.
As we set out in our manifesto, we will strengthen our relationships with like-minded partners, strengthen the Commonwealth, continue to support the global fight against disease and maintain our leadership on climate change, among other things.
How would you continue to work to strengthen the UK's position on the global stage with other countries especially with India?
I hugely value the thriving relationship between the UK and India. This Conservative government has published a roadmap for enhancing UK-India relations, because we want to deepen our cooperation on health, climate, trade, education, science and technology, and defence.
Under this Conservative government, our trade in goods and services with India (exports plus imports) grew to £39 billion last year, up from £16.6 billion in 2014. And we are negotiating an ambitious new free trade agreement with India to further boost our trading relationship.
What message do you have for the undecided British Asian voters who are considering whether to support the Conservative Party in the upcoming election? Why do you think they should vote for the Tories, besides of course Rishi’s heritage as the PM?
The Conservatives are the only party at this election who have a clear plan and we are the only party willing to take bold action to help build a more secure future. Our manifesto is clear: we will cut taxes for hard working people and the self-employed, and we will stop the state pension being dragged into income tax. Labour will raise your taxes.
I also believe Rishi Sunak is a strong and capable leader and the right person to take this country forward.
Back in 2015, Prime Minister Modi and I addressed Wembley stadium together. It was a spectacular celebration of British-Indian relations. We share an enduring, living bridge connecting our people, and the diaspora community here in the UK makes a hugely valuable contribution to our national life.
I predicted that one day there would be a British Indian Prime Minister in Downing Street. Rishi was in the audience at Wembley that day.
According to polls, the Conservatives are not going to return to power. In 2015, during your own election campaign as the PM, while giving an interview to us, you had predicted almost the exact vote divide between the parties, and the margin of victory. As per your experience, what do you think will happen this time? Is there a way your party can salvage its reputation and make a miraculous comeback?
The only poll that counts is on July 4th. And I believe the Conservatives can win this election. We have a manifesto full of bold action for the future, a strong track record and the right team. Keir Starmer’s Labour Party has no plan or vision – and that is becoming clearer by the day.
(With additional inputs from Anusha Singh)
