Key Developments
On 6 June 2026, HM Government said Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper completed a visit to China and India focused on UK security, economic stability and maritime security, and announced initiatives to deepen partnerships in health innovation and critical minerals supply chains, with £1.2 million committed.
Key Statistics
- £1.2 million committed to health innovation and critical minerals partnerships, according to HM Government
Main Body
On 6 June 2026, the UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper concluded a visit to China and India aimed at strengthening UK security and international cooperation, the government confirmed. The trip focused on global security, economic stability and maritime security, alongside initiatives to build partnerships in health innovation and critical minerals supply chains, according to HM Government.
The government said the visit included work to reinforce collaboration with Chinese and Indian counterparts on supply chain resilience and sectoral innovation, with £1.2 million committed to support new and expanded partnerships in health and critical minerals. Discussions also addressed maritime security and broader economic stability, the HM Government statement noted.
The approach aligned with earlier policy signals. On 4 June 2026, the government published the Foreign Secretary’s remarks from the Global Partnerships Conference, where she stressed innovative responses to humanitarian crises and long-term resilience, and highlighted the role of partnerships in development, as set out by HM Government. On the same date, the government also released her remarks launching an International Coalition on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls, underscoring security and rights as interlinked priorities, according to HM Government.
The engagement with Beijing and New Delhi carried broader strategic weight given China’s active security diplomacy. On 30 May 2026, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the PRC reported that Chen Wenqing attended a Moscow security forum with representatives from 145 countries and organizations. On 27 May 2026, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the PRC also said Wang Yi met Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff to discuss defense and security ties. The UK visit sought to position cooperation on security, supply chains and innovation within this evolving regional context, the HM Government statement indicated.
