India poised for bigger role in Commonwealth, to take over UK.

UK: India may be poised to play a leading role in the Commonwealth and take over the mantle from the United Kingdom in a way, as it hopes to set up in the country a secretariat of the grouping of former British colonies.

 

Prince Charles discussed with his interlocutors during his visit to the country last week the idea of a bigger role for India in the 52-member grouping owing to its benign and non-interfering approach as well as track record, people aware of the matter told media. A Commonwealth secretariat in India might be on the cards in the future, said one of the persons, who did not wish to be identified.

 

Experts said that a bigger role in the Commonwealth would be particularly appealing to India because China is not a member of the grouping, unlike many other international forums where China tries to dominate the agenda. However, they said, India needs to guard against Pakistan, which is a member of the Commonwealth and may seek to play the spoilsport at the behest of China, its closest ally.

 

Pakistan is trying to garner support from certain African members of the Non-Aligned Movement on China’s position on South China Sea disputes, according to the diplomatic community.