Asset Publisher

REUTERS/Soe Zeya Tun

Germany and the Indo-Pacific

Germany and the Indo-Pacific

Asset Publisher

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

Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, Former Minister of Defence (on the occasion of the departure of the frigate Bayern on 02.08.2021 in Wilhelmshafen)

Asset Publisher

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.

Asset Publisher

Asset Publisher

Contact

Christian Echle

Christian Echle bild

Head of the Department Asia and Pacific

christian.echle@kas.de +49 (0) 30 26996 3534
International Reports
Reuters
September 28, 2021
read now

Publications

Events on the topic

Oct

2023

-

Jan

2024

Bonn
Europa und die Meere
Strategische Herausforderungen des 21. Jahrhunderts in maritimer Perspektive

Oct

2023

Machtkämpfe und Allianzen in Ostasien und Ozeanien
Online-Seminar der Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung e.V. und der Deutschen Atlantischen Gesellschaft e.V.

Nov

2023

International Conference in Karachi
South Asia and Regional Connectivity in the 21st Century

Event Reports on the topic

Event Reports on the topic

KAS Lecture 2023
6th Konrad Adenauer Lecture
‘Security Issues for the Pacific Region’
Kas.de
Dialogue Program EU-ASEAN as Strategic Partners for Growth and Prosperity
MP Gunther Krichbaum's Visit in Thailand
IPRI
Report Young-IPRI Workshop “Why Conflicts Continue”
- by NIAS-IPRI- KAS INDIA
NMF-KAS Symposium on Climate Change Threats to Critical Maritime Infrastructure
NMF-KAS SYMPOSIUM ON “CLIMATE-CHANGE-INDUCED THREATS TO CRITICAL MARITIME INFRASTRUCTURE: NATIONAL AN...
- by NMF-KAS India
19.10_Report_CII_KAS_Webinar_on_India_and_Germany_Boosting_Labour_Mobility.docx_
CII-KAS Webinar Proceedings "India and Germany: Boosting Labour Mobility"
-by CII-KAS India
Marion Sendker im Gespräch mit Dr. Adrian Haack kas.de
75 Jahre nach der Unabhängigkeit: Indiens Perspektive im globalen Machtgefüge
Eine Bilanz des 35. #HessenKAS Facebook-Live am 21.09.2022
Paneldiskussion Vietnam als Partner Deutschlands für eine regelbasierte internationale Ordnung KAS
„Vietnam als Partner Deutschlands für eine regelbasierte internationale Ordnung?"
Andreas Noll, Dr. Hans-Dieter Heumann, Marie Krpata kas.de
Die französische EU-Ratspräsidentschaft – Agenda und Erwartungen
Eine Bilanz des 29. #HessenKAS Facebook-Live vom 01.02.2022 und Auftakt unserer Veranstaltungsreihe "Französische Wochen in Europa und Hessen".
Indo-Pacific NASA
Following up with Actions instead of Words
German-Japanese Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific
Barbara Völkl
Deutschland, Europa und der Indo-Pazifik
Warum sich die Zukunft Europas auch in der Ferne entscheidet
group picture
Regional Frameworks to Address Security Challenges in the Indian Ocean Region and South East Asia

Publications

Media library

60 years of international work by Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung
Strategic partnerships with countries in the Indo-Pacific region
With int. engagement of our offices, we want to support strategic cooperation in the Indo-Pacific. Florian Feyerabend and Rabea Brauer report from Vietnam and Japan (in German).
Interview mit Alexander Badenheim
Warum sich Deutschland und EU für mehr Freihandel mit den indopazifischen Staaten einsetzen sollte
Im Interview mit Daniela Braun plädiert Alexander Badenheim für die Stärkung des barrierefreien Handels mit den Ländern im Indopazifik sowie eine Ausweitung des Freihandels.
Interview mit Jan Fuhrmann und Stefan Scheller
Wie Deutschland sich sicherheitspolitisch im Indopazifik engagieren kann
Jan Fuhrmann und Stefan Scheller erklären, wie man deutsche Sicherheitspolitik nachhaltig und substanziell durch sicherheits- und technologiepolitische Initiativen gestalten kann.
Interview mit Wissenschaftler Jakob Kullik
Warum Deutschland seine strategischen Rohstoffpartnerschaften im Indopazifik ausbauen sollte
Im Gespräch mit Daniela Braun erklärt Jakob Kullik (TU-Chemnitz), wie ein Engagement in der stetig an Relevanz zunehmenden Region für den Bereich Rohstoffhandel aussehen könnte.
Germany's Election: What does it mean for Southeast-Asia?
Germany's Federal Election: What does it mean for Southeast-Asia?
Germany has voted! After sixteen years Angela Merkel was not on the ballot again and a new chancellor will take office. What does the change in Germany mean for Southeast-Asia?
Japan and Germany
Friends for 160 years
What issues determine relations? Why is the Indo-Pacific important for Germany? Experts from the KAS bring Japan closer (podcast only in german).
Raisina Dialogue 2021 in Cooperation with KAS
Defence Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer in Conversation with Prof. Amrita Narlikar
Germany’s Defence Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer discusses Germany’s and the EU’s security cooperation with India and the Indo-Pacific region with Professor Amrita Narlikar.
Raisina Dialogue 2021 in Cooperation with KAS
An Ocean Too Far: The Future of the Transatlantic Relationship
Renowned experts from the US discuss the current opportunities and challenges for transatlantic cooperation with top decision-makers from Germany and the EU.
Raisina Dialogue 2021 in Cooperation with KAS
A Decade of Emergence: Europe in the Indo-Pacific
High-ranking officials and politicians from Europe explain why the continent’s policy shift towards the Indo-Pacific region is of critical importance.

Asset Publisher