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Potential for Indo – European/German Cooperation in the Indo – Pacific

- by ORF & NMF & KAS India

To mark the arrival of the German Frigate Bayern in Mumbai as a symbol of European and Germany’s pivot towards the Indo-Pacific, the Observer Research Foundation, the National Maritime Foundation and the India Office of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung organised this virtual symposium. The arrival of the German naval frigate Bayern F217 at the Mumbai port on 20 January 2022 marks a turning point not just in India-Germany defence relations, but also in Germany's approach to the Indian Ocean and the Indo-Pacific region. The developments initiated by Germany and other European states are seen as a major signal to their systemic rival China as the arrival of Bayern in Mumbai highlights Germany’s desire to strengthen its own Indo-Pacific policy and Berlin identifies New Delhi as one of its key partners in the Indo-Pacific strategic framework.

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The virtual symposium began with welcome remarks by Dr. Samir Saran, President, Observer Research Foundation which was soon followed by introductory remarks by Mr. Peter Rimmele, Resident Representative to India, Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung. The opening remarks was followed by a brief address by H.E. Dr. Tobias Lindner, Minister of State, Federal Foreign Office of Germany. Minister Lindner began his intervention by elucidating on the history of maritime navigation as 2022 marks the 500th anniversary of the Magellan expedition, first recorded circumnavigation of the Earth. He laid special emphasis on the arrival of Bayern which constitutes an integral element of the Germany Defence and Foreign Policy in safeguarding its interest beyond its territories. Additionally, Bayern also affirms Germany’s posture in the Indo-Pacific where it supports and aims to foster rules-based order by adhering to the basic principles of international law. Germany and the European Union (EU) in the recent past have realized that the centre of geopolitical attention has shifted to

Indo-Pacific hence requiring a strategic approach to the region aiming to intensifying their relationship with other like-minded partners in a cooperative, inclusive and value-based way. Furthermore, Germany and the EU also support Green initiative in the region and India is a key partner in the region. The seven-month long journey of Bayern comes to an end in Mumbai thereby marking the end of the Indo – Pacific journey for Bayern after the Indian Navy welcomed Bayern in the Indian Ocean last year. The Minister concluded his remarks by expressing India’s centrality in Germany’s and the EU’s Indo-Pacific Policy and the upcoming Indo – German Intergovernmental Consultations will provide further means to intensify Indo – German Strategic Partnership.

 

Minister Lindner’s address was followed by a message by H.E. Harsh Vardhan Shringla, Foreign Secretary of India. The secretary welcomed Bayern to India and expressed his confidence in the milestone achieved by Bayern as it will help Germany’s sustained and active engagement in the Indo-Pacific by contributing towards reaffirming a free, open and rules-based Indo-Pacific. The region is the new epicentre for geopolitics as it is home to more than 60 percent of the world’s population and accounts for more than two-thirds of the global economic output. For India, the region has been of prime importance for centuries as it perceives the region as a free, inclusive region which embraces all in a common pursuit of progress and prosperity as encapsulated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi by using the term ‘SAGAR’ which signifies ‘Security And Growth for All in the Region’. The Indian belief in achieving prosperity and security forefronts dialogue at the helm by respecting the sovereignty, territorial integrity and equality of all nations involved. Mr. Shringla emphasised on India’s history of respecting territorial boundaries in accordance with international law by citing the examples of India’s delimitation of its maritime boundaries with Bangladesh and Myanmar. Furthermore, he called upon the strong interdependence between Europe and Indo – Pacific as strong trade and investment ties between the EU and Indo – Pacific regional actors can elevate European economies. Moreover, collaborative efforts in the region should aim at promoting linkages rather than entangling in economic dependencies and debt traps. The new coalition government in Germany offers a new ray of hope towards intensifying their engagement in the Indo – Pacific region as Berlin’s prioritises strengthening multilateralism, rule of law and democracy in the region. Similarly, counterterrorism is an area of utmost focus for both India and Germany vis a vis the Afghanistan crisis which poses serious implications for both parties, hence requiring an urgent, unambiguous and undivided collective response. Mr. Shringla offered an invitation to Germany and other European partners to join India’s Indo – Pacific Oceans Initiative announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the 14th East Asia Summit in 2019. The Foreign Secretary concluded his message by reiterating the necessity of cooperation and collaboration in the Indo-Pacific region to achieve the vision of a free, open, transparent and inclusive Indo-Pacific.

To continue reading the whole event report kindly refer to the attached pdf on the same website.

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