21世纪的英国印度洋政策

随着印度洋战略地位的持续上升,曾是印度洋霸主的英国近年来也不断加强在印度洋的存在。英国在印度洋有着自己的安全、经济和殖民利益。在安全方面,英国认为需要应对伊朗带来的传统安全威胁和恐怖主义、海盗、人道主义灾难等非传统安全威胁。在经济方面,印度洋一些国家是英国的重要贸易伙伴,英国需要从海湾进口大量的液化气,海上运输线安全对英国至关重要。在殖民利益方面,英国设立了印度洋海外属地,并通过英联邦保持与前殖民地和附属国的联系。为了维护和增进这些利益,英国在印度洋采取了一系列措施。一是提升在印度洋的军事存在,如在巴林重建军事基地、帮助阿曼完善军事基地设施以及部署航母战斗群等。二是打击非传统安全威胁特别是海盗和恐怖主义。三是加强与印度洋沿岸重要国家,如沙特、印度和澳大利亚等的关系。四是强化与美国的合作,如延长迪戈加西亚军事基地的租赁期限、参加美国在印度洋的军事行动等。尽管这些举措有助于提升在印度洋的影响,但英国也面临一些挑战。一是实力与当年称霸印度洋时不可同日而语,脱欧以及新冠肺炎疫情更是对英国经济产生了重要影响。二是与毛里求斯存在领土争端,英国背负着殖民主义的压力。这些挑战会制约英国在印度洋目标的实现。总之,无论怎样调整印度洋政策,英国都不可能复制过去在印度洋的辉煌。

British Indian Ocean Policy in the 21 Century

Britain has its own security,economic and colonial interests in the Indian Ocean.In terms of security,Britain needs to deal with traditional security threats brought by Iran as well as the non-traditional security threats.In terms of economy,since Britain needs to import a large amount of liquefied gas from the Gulf of some countries in the Indian Ocean which are important trading partners of Britain,the safety of marine transport routes is of great importance to it.In terms of colonial interests,Britain established overseas territory in the Indian Ocean and maintained links with former colonies and affiliated countries through the Commonwealth of Nations.In order to maintain and promote these interests,Britain has taken a series of measures in the Indian Ocean.First,Britain enhances the military presence in the Indian Ocean.Second,it fights against non-traditional security threats,especially piracy and terrorism.Third,it strengthens relations with important countries along the Indian Ocean,such as Saudi Arabia,India and Australia.Fourth,it consolidates cooperation with the United States.In short,no matter how to adjust the Indian Ocean policy,it is impossible for Britain to duplicate its past glory in the Indian Ocean.