There is a growing interest among policymakers and scholars of international politics in the ‘Indo-Pacific’, despite the contestations on the concept among different actors. In simple terms, it means fostering closer economic and security connections between the Western Pacific and the Indian Ocean.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi outlined the political approach of India in the Indo-Pacific in his address at the Shangri-La Dialogue 2018. In practical terms and keeping China in focus, India is bringing together its Indo-Pacific and ASEAN policies in a single approach. It signals a meshing of Indian interests with key blocs and nations in the Indo-Pacific and external actors like the European Union and Germany, which have also published their respective ‘Indo-Pacific Guidelines’ necessitating the need for greater inclusiveness and cooperation.

These strategies provide an unprecedented opportunity for regional actors like India and external actors like Germany to forge closer ties in the spirit of their respective policy frameworks and approaches in the Indo-Pacific.

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