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OPINION MAY 05, 2023 | The Indian Eye 12

European Countries’ Engagements

in the Indo-Pacific Region

A major EU-wide push towards engaging with the region came in 2019 when the EU labelled China
as a ‘systemic rival’. From 2019 onwards, France, the United Kingdom, the European Union (EU),

Germany, the Netherlands, and the Czech Republic articulated their Indo-Pacific strategies

KARAN PHULAR
he Indo-Pacific is a region that
is experiencing both dynamic
Teconomic growth and inten-
sifying security competition. Three-
fourths of Europe’s trade passes
through the Sea Lines of Communi-
cations (SLOCS) in the region. Con-
nectivity, security, sustainable devel-
opment and supply chain resilience
are among factors propelling an en-
hanced European engagement with
the region.
Given that three-fourths of Eu-
rope’s trade passes through the Sea
Lines of Communications (SLOCS)
in the region, the Indo-Pacific has
gained in prominence in the econom-
ic-security discourse of major Euro-
pean players. The Russia–Ukraine
war has further accelerated Europe’s
engagement, with a renewed commit-
ment to uphold a rules-based inter-
national order for ensuring economic
security.
A major EU-wide push towards
engaging with the region came in
2019 when the EU labelled China as
a ‘systemic rival’. From 2019 onwards,
France, the United Kingdom, the Eu-
ropean Union (EU), Germany, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets with the President of France Emmanuel Macron during G20 summit in Bali last year (ANI)
Netherlands, and the Czech Republic
articulated their Indo-Pacific strate- Oceans. It has major interests in the alism and rule of law; and climate ‘tilt to the Indo-Pacific’, and the need
gies. These strategies differ according region. These interests include nine change, biodiversity, and sustainable to priorities British economic and se-
to their perceived interests. France million square kilometers of France’s management of oceans. France’s curity interests in the region.
and UK’s regional presence, for in- exclusive economic zone (EEZ), the Indo-Pacific strategy reflects the Like France, the UK’s Indo-Pa-
stance, includes military deployments second largest in the world. Around region’s growing significance and cific strategy has four pillars—health;
because of territories and populations two million French citizens reside in France’s commitment towards pro- trade and investment; defense and se-
in the region, while Germany’s and the region. France also maintains a moting security, economic growth, curity; and climate change. It calls for
EU’s strategies are more inclined to- permanent military presence, with and sustainable development. strengthening supply chain resilience
wards the economic aspect. The EU more than 7,000 personnel stationed of critical goods and raw materials.
has also been trying to take on the in its overseas territories like New United Kingdom It specifically mentions cooperation
role of a security provider through Caledonia, French Polynesia, Wallis In March 2021, the United King- with ASEAN, India, Japan and South
maritime maneuvers in the Indian and Futuna, Reunion Island, May- dom (UK) published a document Korea for regional stability and pros-
Ocean Region (IOR), a geographic otte, and the French Southern and titled ‘Global Britain in a Compet- perity.
subset of the larger Indo-Pacific. Antarctic Lands. itive Age: The Integrated Review of The UK has an existing five pow-
France’s Indo-Pacific strategy Security, Defense, Development and er defense agreement with Malaysia,
France rests on four pillars—defense and Foreign Policy’ outlining the UK’s Singapore, Australia and New Zea-
France is a resident nation of security; economy, connectivity, re- vision in the world over the next two land, dating back to 1971. The UK,
both the Indian and the Pacific search, and innovation; multilater- decades. The document describes a Continued on next page... >>

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