The title of the SPD’s “Zeitwende” paper by the International Political Commission claims to formulate “answers for a world in transition”. This properly addresses China’s hegemonic claim over the Indo-Pacific. However, in order to find appropriate answers to complex regional challenges, we must focus more on the Indo-Pacific region as a whole.

Why is the Indo-Pacific so important

The Indo-Pacific includes the entire area formed by the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Key players include India, China, India, Vietnam, Japan, Australia and New Zealand. About 60 percent of the world’s population lives in this region and is also important for the global economy. More than 90 percent of world trade is conducted by sea, most of it via the Indian and Pacific Oceans. A quarter of all seaborne trade passes through the Malacca Strait, which lies between Malaysia and the island of Sumatra. Conflict in the Indo-Pacific will hit the entire world economy hard.

The Indo-Pacific is politically very heterogeneous. Of course, there is China which is increasingly threatening to use force to impose its power projections. But there are also important German partners in the Indo-Pacific committed to a peace-based, rules-based order – such as Japan, Australia and India. As a Pacific border nation, the US is also very committed to this, but its offensive actions have also raised concerns in some cases. Germany and the EU are in demand here – as mediators and strong advocates of a free and open Indo-Pacific.

Extend the European approach

In 2020, the federal government passed guidelines on the Indo-Pacific, which among other things support strengthening multilateralism. On the initiative of Germany, France and the Netherlands – all of which already have national strategies – EU 2021 also presents a corresponding strategy. A shared European approach is critical to the success of an Indo-Pacific policy, because Germany cannot do much alone. Therefore, the SPD must work to ensure that we Europeans speak with one voice – especially when it comes to the sovereignty of all the countries in the region.

Russia’s war of aggression has made clear how important it is to defend international law early on and not be blinded by ideological ideals or economic dependencies. Because it is not the strongest law that applies, but the force of the law. To do this, we must take a diplomatic position and at the same time mediate between actors. It’s also important to demonstrate presence in the region, as last year with training and trips the presence of the Bavarian frigates and Air Force exercises in Australia.

Apply the lessons from the “turning point.”

The voice of our partners must determine our commitment. We need to focus more on them and deepen our partnerships, for example with Japan, India and India. We can also benefit greatly from this, because we are not even close to the potential for cooperation with multiple countries.

One thing is clear: we must not overestimate our influence in the Indo-Pacific. However, it is important to pay attention to the creative desires that we have formulated seriously and are actively involved in freedom and peace. This way we can also show that we have been learning continuously from the turning point.