Refreshing Europe’s Indo-Pacific strategy, an opportunity to solidify EU standing

The European Union intends to counter the trend of “might makes right” in relation to the Indo-Pacific, but experts argue the bloc needs to refresh its strategy and address internal divisions when it comes to the region.

In 2021, EU Member States endorsed a strategy of seven priority areas for deepening cooperation with the Indo-Pacific. Before that, individual member states including France, Germany, the Netherlands and the Czech Republic had published their strategies or guidelines.

Addressing internal divergences

Analysing the EU’s expanding role in the region, experts at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) argue that internal divergences in perspectives reflect historical differences and varying views on foreign policy priorities within Member States.

An analysis of the Centre for European Reform (CER) highlights the need for the EU to develop a more unified approach to the region, arguing that the Indo-Pacific reach contains several potential conflicts which could influence Europe’s security.

“Unless the EU is united in its approach to the key challenges in the Indo-Pacific region, it will be unable to defend its interests effectively,” the CER argues, warning that differences could damage the EU’s ability to respond to challenges arising in the region.

Meanwhile, a study from the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) offered evidence that confirms the different understanding of the aim of the dedicated strategy by the Member States, categorising it as a way of showing Europe’s strategic autonomy by pursuing an independent approach to the region; a tool to be used against China; and a means to manage the transatlantic relationship, aligning with the United States.

From “Asia-Pacific” to “Indo-Pacific”

The term “Indo-Pacific” began supplanting the previously common term “Asia-Pacific”, according to experts at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs, it is primarily understood as a US-led containment strategy directed against China.

This shift is mainly attributed to the Trump administration, remarked ECFR experts, explaining that the former US president gave the term a “distinctly anti-China connotation”.

The adoption of the “Indo-Pacific” concept shows that the EU is more aligned with the US than China in terms of values, explained experts at the Jacques Delors Centre. This was further reinforced by the launch of the EU-US strategic dialogue on China in 2020.

Mutual economic interests and more

Both the US and the EU have tremendous economic interests in the region. In 2022, imports between the bloc and the Indo-Pacific reached €1120 billion, while exports grew to €645 billion in the same period.

Considering the harsh competition for critical technologies with China, the Indo-Pacific is emerging as a technology manufacturing hub with significant access to natural resources and rare earth minerals, argues the CSIS analysis.

Their experts maintain the EU should reinforce technological industrial cooperation with Indo-Pacific partners and align their policies with the national strategies of key countries.

It presents an opportunity for the bloc to fortify its global standing, as the EU can contribute to regional stability, driven by the imperative of safeguarding its economic and security interests.

This was reiterated by the Indian Ambassador to the EU, Saurabh Kumar in a recent interview with Euractiv, where he affirmed that bilateral relations are much more holistic than the predominantly economic ties at the beginning of the revived partnership.

However, the ambassador also highlighted the need for further cooperation in countering modern-day challenges, as well as building more resilient supply chains not hampered by geographical borders.

“As Europe ups its involvement in the Indo-Pacific, it would bring us closer together as partners,” Ambassador Kumar told Euractiv.

Expanding geopolitical options

In turn, Indo-Pacific countries should see in Europe a geopolitical opportunity, as they look to diversify from their reliance on either China or the US, notes the ECFR in another report.

Although there are regional divisions, and some nations share concerns over China’s rise and getting closer to the US, while others do not want to choose between the great powers, these camps are looking to develop a broader array of geopolitical options.

“We have entered an ‘à la carte world’,” ECFR experts say. “Instead of choosing from a set menu of political alignment, non-Western countries prefer to mix and match their partners depending on the issue at hand.”

With China increasingly regarded by the EU as a systemic rival and competitor more than a partner, the report concludes that the bloc must seek warmer ties elsewhere, now that Europeans do not see their ties with Asia through the lens of China.

[Edited By Brian Maguire | Euractiv's Advocacy Lab ]