Jenny Bates, Director General, Indo-Pacific in the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO)

Jenny Bates, Director General, Indo-Pacific in the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) shared her views on the UK’s priorities in the Indo-Pacific and outlined how the government aims to secure the country’s position in the region during an Asia House briefing on 9 November. 

Speaking with Asia House Corporate Members, Jenny provided updates on the UK’s long-term foreign policy agenda concerning the Indo-Pacific. The UK’s broader relations with the region through its accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), ASEAN-UK Dialogue Partnership, Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) Dialogue Partnership, and Just Energy Transition Partnerships (JETPs) with Indonesia and Vietnam were also discussed at the off-the-record briefing. 

Members of Asia House asked Jenny a range of questions, with the multi-faceted UK-India relations and impending free trade agreement a key topic. Jenny was also asked about her views on the new Hong Kong government, the UK’s supply chain resilience, the implication of the upcoming US elections on China-Taiwan tensions, and the continuity of the UK’s Indo-Pacific strategy under a potential Labour government.  

Chaired by Asia House Chief Executive Michael Lawrence OBE, the briefing offered Asia House Corporate Members insights into the latest UK thinking on the Indo-Pacific and the government’s engagement with the wider region.  

Find out more about the benefits of Corporate Membership at Asia House.

Join our mailing list to receive Asia House research, analysis and event information direct to your inbox.