India and the Anglosphere

Context: Idea of English-speaking nations (Anglosphere), cooperating, is gaining importance post-Brexit, offers possibilities that India can take advantage.

Decline of anglosphere in the past: due to -

• Economic challenges in the 19^th Century and the threat to the stability of the Empire. A modest influence was maintained through Commonwealth Nations.
• As European integration unfolded, Britain opened its door to Europe; Commonwealth died down.
• As the European project became more ambitious after the Cold war, the rise of Eurosceptics resurrected the idea that resulted in Brexit- leading to Rise of Anglosphere.

The Rise of Anglosphere

• Felt through Brexit: With Brexit, the Anglosphere is now likely to acquire some gravitas in British foreign policy and would complement the British commercial engagement with Europe and the world.
• Future prospects for Anglosphere: organisations that may be used to build new anglosphere
  • “Five Eyes”: It is an arrangement for intelligence sharing between the United States (US), Canada, United Kingdom (UK), Australia and New Zealand. (extending it as economic and security group)
  • CANZUK: It excludes US from five eyes and thus can serve as a community that allows free flow of goods and talent.(a collective GDP of nearly $6 trillion and a defence expenditure of $100 billion)
  • Economic and strategic collaboration: with states like India, Ireland, Singapore and Japan as part of rebuilding the Anglosphere.

Reasons for which India should join the Anglosphere

• Economic benefits:  While Britain and Indian Economy today are at roughly $2.7 trillion and occupy the fifth and sixth places in the GDP rankings. (while the growth for both has fallen in recent years)
• Ending of Perception of Britain as colonial power:
  • E.g. Indian middle classes have unhesitatingly embraced the English speaking world.
  • US, Canada, Britain, Australia, and New Zealand remain the preferred Indian destinations for study, work and emigration.
• Political and bureaucratic ties with the Anglosphere:g. Kamala Harris elected as US vice president, various cabinet rank ministers in the UK
• Emerging economic complementarity and shared geopolitical interest:  in constructing a stable balance of power in the Indo-Pacific.
• Emulating China: in transcending the colonial mindset. China had sustained economic investments, political engagement, and elite cultivation to win over the entire Anglosphere in recent years.