4.
visits to North East Asia (China) we would not see any particular
advantage in diverting ships of TG 317.8 to Hong Kong, China or the
Philippines. Apart from the obvious bureaucratic disadvantages of
adjusting two programmes we think it would be sensible, having agreed
on the timing of the visit to China, not to change horses now and risk
snarling up the centre piece of next year's programme. We are of
course well aware that the Governor at Hong Kong has asked for
assistance with maritime patrolling, but a visit, even by all the
ships of the Task Group would be asymbolic rather than a practical
response to his requests which we think should be met in other ways.
We conclude therefore, that the best plan would be to fit in some
additional visits to South East Asia, South Asia and possibly the
Middle East. We hope there will in any case, be time for exercises
under the auspices of the FPDA with the RMN and RSN. We would then
like to propose visits to Thailand, Bangladesh, India, and possibly
Pakistan and the Gulf area. We considered the possibility of asking
the Burmese whether they would like an RN visit but have concluded
that the prospects of their agreeing are so remote that it is not
even worth putting the idea to our Ambassador. The High Commissioner
in Delhi was originally doubtful about including India on this
itinererary because of Indian sensitivity of MIDLINK. These objections
have now disappeared, and given our growing defence supply relationship with India (perhaps we will have wrapped up the Sea Harrier deal by
November) we see every advantage in suggesting visits, possibly to
Calcutta and Bombay. As far as Thailand is concerned our relations
with the present Government there are very good and we see every
advantage in taking this opportunity of keeping in good repair the
traditionally friendly links between the two navies (and I am sure
the sailors will appreciate their run ashore!).. Bangladesh is
another country with which our relations are currently excellent, not
least in the naval field. We are sure that the RN would have a warm
welcome there.
CONFIDENTIAL