Author: sachin nandha, trustee and director
As Britain redefines its global strategic role post-Brexit and navigates the Indo-Pacific tilt, the Himalayan region, often overlooked in British defence discussions, holds vital importance. While the South and East China Seas and the Indian Ocean are frequently discussed as strategic theatres, the Himalayas, as a geopolitical frontier, remain underappreciated. A focused “Himalayan strategy” can be a critical component of the UK’s broader defence and foreign policy, completing its Indo-Pacific strategy and countering China’s growing influence in South Asia.
Geopolitical Importance of the Himalayas
The Himalayas have historically been a buffer zone between major powers, most notably China and India. However, with China’s increasing assertiveness, this buffer is eroding. In recent years, Beijing has shifted its focus towards expanding its influence over this mountainous region, leveraging its strategic control over Tibet, redrawing borders, and controlling critical water flows. The British government’s defence and security review, known as the Integrated Review, should widen its Indo-Pacific focus to include the Himalayas.
China’s aggressive behaviour in the South China Sea, where artificial islands have been militarized, is mirrored in the Himalayan region. The Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has been actively building infrastructure in disputed territories, such as Bhutan, and exerting control over strategic river systems like the Brahmaputra. Beijing’s willingness to act unilaterally and reshape the regional status quo suggests a pattern of geopolitical ambition that requires British and allied countermeasures.
Why the UK Lacks a Himalayan Strategy
Historically, the UK was a significant power in the Himalayan region. During the British Empire, British India was a strategic actor in the region’s geopolitics. However, post-empire, the UK’s interests in the Himalayas have diminished. Britain’s current Indo-Pacific strategy focuses heavily on maritime security, trade routes, and partnerships, leaving terrestrial theatres like the Himalayas out of the conversation. Furthermore, Britain no longer sees itself as a direct player in South Asia’s territorial disputes, leaving these concerns primarily to regional actors like India.
Another barrier to a UK Himalayan strategy is the perception that the Himalayas are an impenetrable and remote region, limiting the UK’s scope of influence. This view fails to appreciate that Chinese actions in the Himalayas are part of a broader geopolitical strategy to secure dominance over South Asia. The UK, which prides itself on its global reach, cannot afford to ignore the long-term implications of Chinese dominance over the Himalayan region.
Moreover, the lack of a clear policy framework toward the Himalayas reflects an outdated view of the region as strategically peripheral. However, as China extends its reach into South Asia through projects like the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), the UK must re-evaluate its approach. Failure to address this gap in British strategy will only increase China’s leverage in the region.
Multilateral Approaches and Environmental Diplomacy
The UK can enhance its Himalayan strategy by leveraging its diplomatic expertise in multilateralism. Rather than acting alone, Britain can use its influence to convene stakeholders in the region, particularly India, Nepal, Bhutan, and possibly others, to address shared concerns around environmental diplomacy and cooperation. The Himalayan region is home to some of the world’s most vital water sources, and climate change is exacerbating the pressure on these resources. By facilitating dialogue on transboundary water management, conservation efforts, and sustainable development, the UK can position itself as a neutral broker.
These efforts could be advanced through existing multilateral frameworks like the United Nations or through regional initiatives supported by institutions such as the World Bank. This would enable the UK to promote confidence-building measures, encouraging cooperation on environmental security, which, in turn, could ease geopolitical tensions. By facilitating this dialogue, the UK would not only strengthen its diplomatic presence in the region but also contribute to a more stable and cooperative environment in South Asia. Such a multilateral approach aligns with Britain’s broader goal of ensuring that its Indo-Pacific strategy incorporates both security and sustainable development, creating an enduring platform for collaboration among regional powers.
How the British saw the world in the 19th century.
Water Wars: The Strategic Importance of Himalayan Rivers
One of the most concerning aspects of China’s dominance in the Himalayas is its control over major river systems, including the Brahmaputra. Known as the “water tower” of Asia, the Tibetan Plateau and Himalayan glaciers feed into rivers that are critical to the livelihoods of nearly 2 billion people. China’s upper riparian status over these rivers gives it the ability to control water flow into countries downstream, most notably India and Bangladesh.
British policymakers must recognize that water scarcity and control over river systems are becoming pivotal issues in South Asia’s geopolitics. Beijing’s dam-building activities and its potential ability to manipulate water supplies for political leverage should be of significant concern to the UK. As the impacts of climate change exacerbate water stress in the region, China’s grip over Himalayan rivers could trigger conflicts, adding another layer of instability to an already volatile region.
By supporting regional initiatives on water management, promoting transboundary water-sharing agreements, and engaging with multilateral institutions like the World Bank, the UK can play a role in mitigating these risks. A UK Himalayan strategy that prioritizes environmental diplomacy would enhance the country’s standing as a responsible global power while addressing a critical dimension of China’s growing dominance.
Countering China’s Influence
China’s moves in the Himalayas are not merely defensive. They represent a broader strategy to encircle India, secure critical water resources, and project influence throughout South Asia. By constructing infrastructure in disputed areas of Bhutan, increasing economic leverage over Nepal, and militarising border areas, China is reshaping the region’s geopolitics to its advantage.
For the UK, countering China’s influence in the Himalayas complements its broader Indo-Pacific strategy. A well-defined Himalayan strategy would not only safeguard British interests but also strengthen partnerships with like-minded countries like India. Strengthening India’s role as a regional counterbalance to China aligns with the UK’s broader goals of ensuring stability in the Indo-Pacific.
The UK’s focus on maritime security in the Indo-Pacific, such as its collaboration with the Indian Navy, is crucial to safeguarding trade routes and ensuring free navigation. However, without addressing the Himalayan frontier, the UK’s Indo-Pacific strategy remains incomplete. The Himalayas, though less discussed, are a critical component of South Asia’s security architecture. China’s growing control over the region poses direct and indirect challenges to the UK’s strategic objectives.
Enhancing Partnerships with India
India is the UK’s most natural partner in a Himalayan strategy. As China continues to militarize the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and build infrastructure in disputed areas, India finds itself in a vulnerable position. Strengthening defence cooperation with India, particularly in terms of intelligence-sharing, joint military exercises, and diplomatic support in multilateral fora, would enhance regional stability and counter Chinese expansionism.
India has been seeking stronger global alliances to push back against Chinese influence, and the UK is well-positioned to deepen its security partnership with New Delhi. The Integrated Review already recognizes the importance of the UK-India relationship, but it should go further by explicitly addressing India’s security concerns in the Himalayas. Supporting India’s territorial integrity in this context is not just about bilateral ties; it is about ensuring that China’s territorial ambitions do not go unchecked.
Chinese claims over Indian held territoryConclusion
A UK Himalayan strategy should be an essential part of Britain’s defence policy. As China extends its influence across South Asia, the UK cannot afford to ignore the strategic significance of the Himalayas. This region, once considered peripheral, is now at the heart of geopolitical competition between two of the world’s largest powers—China and India. By including the Himalayas in its Indo-Pacific focus, Britain can not only counter Chinese expansionism but also strengthen its partnerships in the region, most notably with India.
The stakes are high. Control over Himalayan borders and water resources will shape the future of South Asia, and the UK must be proactive in shaping this future. While India would likely prefer bilateral engagement with its neighbours on territorial and water-related issues, Britain’s multilateral approach can be useful for building international pressure on China, though not necessarily as a direct mediator. A well-defined Himalayan strategy would complement Britain’s Indo-Pacific strategy and ensure that it remains a relevant player in the region’s evolving security landscape.
Joint military exercise between British and Indian soldiers codenamed Ajeya took place in May 2024 on the Wiltshire downs, England
Joint military exercise between British and Indian soldiers codenamed Ajeya took place in May 2024 on the Wiltshire downs, England
