Security, Sovereignty and Partnership in the Indo-Pacific
Singapore, 3 December 2025
The Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) Regional Programme Political Dialogue Asia convened a high-level seminar on “Security, Sovereignty and Partnership in the Indo-Pacific” on 3 December 2025 at the KAS Singapore office. The event brought together policymakers, diplomats, scholars, and security experts from Europe and across the Indo-Pacific to discuss the region’s rapidly evolving strategic landscape and Europe’s role within it.
Opening the seminar, Andreas Klein, Director of KAS Political Dialogue Asia, underlined that the Indo-Pacific has become a central arena of geopolitical competition in the second quarter of the 21st century. He stressed that developments in the region have direct implications for Europe’s security, prosperity, and commitment to a rules-based international order.
The keynote address was delivered by H.E. Artis Bertulis, Ambassador of the European Union to Singapore. In his remarks, the Ambassador highlighted the European Union’s growing engagement with the Indo-Pacific and emphasised the importance of partnerships, multilateralism, and respect for international law in maintaining regional stability.
Panel I: Great Powers, Small States, and Strategic Seas
The first panel examined how states of different sizes navigate strategic competition, maritime tensions, and shifting alignments in the Indo-Pacific. Dr Yeo Lay Hwee outlined the European Union’s trade and connectivity strategy in the region, placing it within the broader framework of the EU’s Indo-Pacific approach and the Global Gateway initiative.
Eva Abdulla, former Deputy Speaker of Parliament of the Maldives, offered insights into small-state hedging strategies in the Indian Ocean, while Prof. Jaime Baeza Freer analysed Chile’s growing engagement with the Indo-Pacific as a secondary power. Marites Dañguilan Vitug, Editor-at-Large at Rappler, discussed the Philippines’ maritime security challenges and its balancing act between major powers. The panel was moderated by Prof. Mely Caballero-Anthony of RSIS, NTU, and featured an active exchange with the audience.
Panel II: New Security Frontiers in the Indo-Pacific
The second panel turned to emerging and non-traditional security challenges. Assoc. Prof. Christian E. Rieck explored Europe’s search for like-minded partners in the Indo-Pacific, while Jared Mondschein examined the implications of AUKUS for regional deterrence and security architecture. H.E. Soemadi Brotodiningrat highlighted prospects for Indonesia–EU cooperation, and Dr Karthik Nachiappan addressed cybersecurity and the EU–Indo-Pacific Digital Partnership from a non-traditional security perspective. The panel was moderated by Dr Jean-Loup Samaan of NUS.
Strengthening Dialogue and Partnership
Across both panels, discussions underscored the importance of sovereignty, open sea lanes, digital resilience, and rules-based cooperation. Participants highlighted that Europe and Indo-Pacific partners face shared strategic challenges and that closer dialogue and cooperation are essential in an era of intensifying geopolitical competition. The seminar concluded with a networking session, providing participants with the opportunity to continue discussions and strengthen professional connections. Through this event, KAS Political Dialogue Asia reaffirmed its commitment to fostering informed dialogue and building partnerships that contribute to a secure, open, and rules-based Indo-Pacific.
