Labour peers Lord Robertson and Lord West used the latest Lord Speaker’s Corner podcast to outline how Beijing and New Delhi fit into the shifting geopolitical landscape, arguing that Western policy must adapt to long-term structural realities.
Responding to a question about whether China and India could be distanced from Moscow, Lord West argued that economic pressure could influence Beijing, stating that “secondary sanctions would have an impact on Xi Jinping and would actually start splitting him away” from Russia.
He added that “if it’s not in their interest, China’s interests, they won’t do it,” while noting that “they’ve got no love for Russia.”
On India, he said the picture was more complex, remarking that “India made a lot of money out of Russian oil.”
Lord Robertson said India’s reliance on Russia for military equipment is longstanding, explaining that “the equipment that we produce is far too unique, far too specialised and far too expensive. So they rely on Russia for that.” He noted that recent US sanctions had prompted New Delhi to cancel some oil contracts with Moscow.
Both peers described China as a sustained strategic challenge. Lord Robertson reiterated that “we’ve got to engage with China, but recognise that it is going to be the future challenge militarily, commercially and diplomatically.” He maintained that “it’s probably better to call the Chinese a problem rather than a threat at the present moment.”
Lord West referenced the Intelligence and Security Committee’s recent China report, saying it had “identified all of the things that are a problem with China and all of the areas where they are causing us problems.” He argued that Beijing represents a long-term concern because of “this unholy alliance between the population and the industrialists and the party,” which he said supports continued one-party rule.
The discussion also touched on AUKUS. Lord West called it “a brilliant agreement,” highlighting its mix of nuclear-powered submarines and advanced technologies such as hypersonic systems and AI. Lord Robertson added that the pact signals to regional partners that the UK and US remain engaged, saying it shows “we’re still involved, we’re still interested and that we recognise that there is a long-term problem with China.”
The full conversation is available on the Lord Speaker’s Corner podcast.
China is only a problem for the US because it’s a direct threat to American hegemony..otherwise it’s not a problem. the real issue is that we tow the line behind America
I think that goes both ways. And Russia wants a say and a place at the head of the table too. Three’s a crowd!
Russia is lightyears away from being at the head of that table in my opinion
Depends the very very big problem in the end is that china is a communist state first and always.. western liberal democracies and communists states struggle to keep civil relationships.. china is very very aware of this so should we be.
I just can’t get the notion that without balance, the World’s trade routes could be compromised, and China appears to be going in one direction, and that is naval expansion.
Yes and I am wondering how much of Australia’s main ore export to China, iron ore, is going into their naval construction and expansion? It might be a small amount but they’re sure churning them out as well as commercial ships. Thank goodnrss it’s also spurring other countries to increase their naval forces in response.
The West has been more demonstrative recently with several naval exercises in the Percific Ocean, and the RN deployment of the POW task group has amplified the need for a Western presence in that theatre. However, without a long-term joined-up strategy, it all may be a flag-waving stunt. The USA, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and South Korea need to establish a realistic posture that secures the right of passage long into the future.
We should be carefully friendly with India, it is a democracy. Bet they are rethinking Russian military kit as less than optimal.
India: its despicable that a proud independent democracy has no respect for the sovereign democratic nation of Ukraine and is happy to profit from their suffering.
Zero shared values just transactional ‘business’.
No support for the international rule of law and UN Charter so india don’t call us with your CCP dictatorship issues…
Secondary Sanctions are fully justified so no more indian goods and services.
The image above is the new Chinese 40,000t Type 076 LHD. Depending on where you read, some state that the ship is closer to 50,000t, which makes it larger than the USN America. Wonder what it will be used for?