Germany and the Indo-Pacific
Our commitment in the Indo-Pacific is not about being against something or someone, but about standing up for something together: It's about acting together. And about resolving potential conflicts peacefully and in partnership
Germany's foreign policy in the Indo-Pacific region
The geostrategic and geoeconomic importance of the Indo-Pacific region has steadily increased in recent years and decades. The German government responded to this development in September 2020 with the "Guidelines on the Indo-Pacific," placing the foreign policy focus on the geographic and thematic diversification of relations with the region. Behind this is also Germany's self-declared ambition to play a key role in shaping the relatively new political concept of the Indo-Pacific - not least in response to calls from the region for greater German engagement in the region. Established partnerships, including with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), as well as with Germany's "likeminded partners" in the region, create the framework for more intensive multilateral cooperation. Germany is thus committed to strengthening the international rules-based order.
Geostrategic relevance of the region
Few regions are developing as dynamically as the Indo-Pacific. This region between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific, which is not uniformly defined, is home to the world's fastest-growing economies and, with the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), the world's largest free trade zone. The Strait of Malacca in Southeast Asia is considered the most important sea route in the globalized world. In the strategically highly tense region, there is increasing competition for sources of raw materials, trade routes and strategic access by land and sea. China is expanding its presence in the region and asserting self-confident power-political ambitions. Many littoral states see themselves under increasing pressure and are developing security strategies for the region. Japan and the United States were instrumental in coining the term Indo-Pacific. India and Australia at the same time are pursuing an increasingly proactive foreign policy and are targeting more cooperation with ASEAN or the partners in the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad).
KAS engagement in and with the Indo-Pacific region
With a strong presence and long-term commitment in the region, KAS contributes to the stronger interconnection and dialogue of Germany and Europe with the region. KAS is active in a broad thematic spectrum and maintains an extensive network. Thematically, the focus particularly, but not exclusively lies on multilateralism, security, rule of law, climate and energy, economy and free trade as well as the digital transformation.
Events on the topic
Oct
24
2023
Jan
30
2024
Europa und die Meere
Strategische Herausforderungen des 21. Jahrhunderts in maritimer Perspektive
Oct
28
2023
Machtkämpfe und Allianzen in Ostasien und Ozeanien
Online-Seminar der Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung e.V. und der Deutschen Atlantischen Gesellschaft e.V.
Nov
21-22
2023