Foreign secretary David Miliband has asked British diplomats to reorient their world-view considering that power is moving from West to East, with the integration of China and India into the world economy.
"The global power shift meant that the Foreign Office would need to transfer its resources away from Europe and towards India, Asia and the Middle East," Miliband said.
Addressing about 350 British ambassadors at the 'Foreign and Commonwealth Office Leadership Conference', Miliband said, "Our global footprint needs to keep pace with our new priorities. If we aspire to being a global hub, we also need to strengthen our presence in emerging powers."
"That's why we've decided to move some of our policy staff out of Europe and into Asia, the Middle East and other parts of the world. So if we are to deliver on our commitment to Afghanistan, we need far more Pashtun speakers," he added.
Analysing the global power shift, Miliband said in the 19th century version of globalisation, a gulf in wealth opened up between East and West. However, 21st century globalisation was drawing them closer.
"In economic and military terms, the US will have at least another generation as the global superpower. Nevertheless, this century may come to be known as the Asian century," he said.
However, Miliband said this did not mean Europe mattered less to the United Kingdom. But changing global power dynamics meant that the Foreign Office's future footprint was likely to be heavier in the developing world, he added.