Britain to act as 'force for good', says Blair

Tony Blair today set out his vision for Britain to play a "pivotal role" in the post-11 September world order.

On the eve of talks with the Indian government on the flashpoint region of Kashmir, he stressed in a speech to the annual conference of the Confederation of Indian Industry in Bangalore that no country is now immune to political events anywhere in the world.

Although he rejected as "nostalgia" any suggestion that Britain is still an imperial power, Mr Blair seized on Britain's central role in the war against terrorism in Afghanistan to reiterate his view that the country can act as "a force for good" on the world stage.

He said: "I believe we have forged a modern foreign policy role for Britain. We do not have an empire, we're not a superpower, but we do have a role and in playing it properly we benefit Britain and the wider world. That role is to be a pivotal player."

Mr Blair said Britain should take advantage of its history, geography, language and its links with the United States, Europe and the Commonwealth, as well as the "skills and reputation" of the armed forces and its contribution to Third World development to forge that new role.

"It's become clear since the events of 11 September that it's a role we should embrace with real confidence, resisting nostalgia, refusing to retreat into isolationism," Mr Blair said.

The remarks are aimed squarely at critics who have complained that the Prime Minister ­ who has travelled the world with his efforts to build a coalition against terrorism since the attacks in America ­ spends too much time overseas and should take a stronger personal lead on improving standards in domestic public services such as health and transport.

Mr Blair has spent the Christmas break on holiday in Egypt and then went straight into his south Asia tour without returning to London. Meanwhile, train strikes and an ailing health service are fraying tempers in Britain.

His speech will also be seen as a clear warning that the outcome of the stand-off between India and Pakistan over Kashmir could reverberate around the world. Mr Blair has already hinted at his fears that China, as a strong ally of Pakistan, could get dragged into the dispute and that Pakistan's redeployment of troops from its border with Afghanistan could hamper the war on terrorism.

Mr Blair will emphasise his pride in the military, diplomatic and humanitarian efforts of Britain since the global crisis sparked by the terrorist attacks in the United States nearly four months ago.

"I'm proud of our role, not only just because it is the right thing to do and because we have been able to make a contribution but also because in today's global, interdependent world, foreign policy and domestic policy are part of the same thing.

"Dealing with international terrorism abroad isn't just right in itself. It is vital to our economy, our jobs, our stability and our society. Proud nations will always guard their sovereignty. The shape of the world today means that self-interest for a nation and the interests of the broader community are no longer in conflict," he said.

Mr Blair will discuss the Kashmir crisis with Atal Behari Vajpayee, the Indian Prime Minister, tomorrow. He is also due to hold talks with General Pervez Musharraf, Pakistan's leader, when he travels there after his visit to India.

Downing Street insisted that Mr Blair did not have fixed ideas on tackling the dispute over Kashmir, although he has said that he wants to exert a "calming influence" on the two countries.