The Indo-Pacific region has emerged as the new epicentre of geopolitical competition, due to the growth of the Asian economies and particularly of the People’s Republic of China. The struggle over the future of Asia will define the 21st century for the rest of the world, like the struggle over Europe defined the 20th century. Europeans have begun their own tilt towards the Indo-Pacific. It remains unclear, however, what specific role Europeans should play in the Indo-Pacific.
The HCSS “Europe in the Indo-Pacific Hub (EIPH)” facilitates such exchanges, establishing an international knowledge network of experts, practitioners, business representatives and journalists across Europe, South, East, and Southeast Asia, as well as East-Africa, the Middle East, and the US to discuss the future of the maritime commons in the Indo-Pacific.
Below you may find some the EIPH highlights of 2024.
Debate on Geopolitical Tensions in the South China Sea with HCSS analyst Benedetta Girardi
Of all the world’s conflict zones, the Indo-Pacific is overlooked. The risks of escalation are real. With an increasingly assertive China and the U.S. involved, there is a lot at stake. On June 6, 2024, HCSS strategic analyst – and expert on the Indo-Pacific – Benedetta Girardi participated in a debate at Amsterdam’s De Balie centre, where she discussed the rising tensions and the role that Europe should play in the region.
Rewatch the debate here:
EIPH Guest Papers
As part of our Europe in the Indo-Pacific Hub, HCSS regularly brings together renowned researchers, experts, and policymakers from Europe, Asia, and the US in workshops, as well as contributors to publications.
This year, in a new paper series, 5 guest authors explore the most important shared interests between European and Indo-Pacific states, as well as the examples of successful European engagement with regional states over the past decade. The series also reflects upon the form and frameworks that would make a European role most effective, as the growing economic, security, and political interdependences force European states to consider how to position themselves within complex regional dynamics.
Paper 1 | Mixed Messages and the EU’s Indo-Pacific Strategy
The EU’s Indo-Pacific strategy hinges on capability, credibility, and consistency. Amidst geopolitical shifts, it must emphasize economic benefits, adapt to political changes, and foster minilateral engagements for lasting impact, writes guest author Charmaine Willoughby, Associate Professor of International Studies at De La Salle University in Manila, the Philippines.
Paper 2 | Strategic Communication in the Indo-Pacific: Signalling EU Naval Commitment to the Region
The EU sees the Indo-Pacific as a focal point for modern geopolitical challenges. Through naval strategies and operations, it signals a commitment to global maritime security. Credibility is key for effectiveness. The paper by Leiden University guest authors Nicolas Blarel and Niels van Willigen analyses how this can be achieved, including in the Eastern part of the Indo-Pacific. It ends with policy recommendations for more effective signalling.
Paper 3 | Debating EU Enhanced Naval Presence in the Indo-Pacific: From Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) to Coordinated Maritime Presence (CMP)
Europe’s interest in the Indo-Pacific grows due to trade, economic concerns, and broader international order issues. Despite obstacles, the EU is enhancing maritime engagement, focusing on information exchange and coordinated presence. This paper by guest author Marianne Peron Doise (IRIS – Institut de Relations Internationales et Stratégiques) delves into Europe’s objectives in the region, the hurdles it faces, and strategies for further contribution to maritime security.
Paper 4 | Strategic Dynamics in the Indo-Pacific: Partnership for Maintaining Inclusive and Stable Maritime Region
The Indo-Pacific stands as the 21st century’s strategic epicenter, with Southeast Asia pivotal in its maritime dynamics. The ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific guides cooperation, including EU support. Addressing challenges is crucial for a stable, rules-based region. This paper by guest author Sumathy Permal (Senior Researcher with the Centre for the Straits of Malacca at the Maritime Institute of Malaysia) delves into three key areas: assessing maritime challenges in Southeast Asia, exploring shared maritime interests between the EU and Indo-Pacific states, and discussing security frameworks suited to the regional context. Addressing these facets is vital for realizing a secure, rules-based Indo-Pacific.
EIPH Research
The HCSS Europe in the Indo-Pacific Hub produces in-depth research reports and commentary on current affairs.
Getting Them On Board: Partners and Avenues for European Engagement in Indo-Pacific Maritime Security
How should Europe strengthen its engagement with the Indo-Pacific? While the continent is highly dependent on trade from the region, it has limited capabilities to protect its interests in the face of growing Sino-American competition. This new HCSS report examines how European states can engage in the Indo-Pacific by deepening cooperation with regional powers.
Europe has to make strategic choices to strengthen its role in the Indo-Pacific without overextending its capabilities. Regional small and middle powers differ in their suitability as partners for European countries. While some are clear allies, others are of low importance. What about the middle group of countries that share crucial interests with Europe but are not automatically aligned?
Fresh Wind or Business as Usual: What the Indonesian Elections Mean for Dutch-Indonesian Relations
How will a new Indonesian president shape the country’s position in the Indo-Pacific and its ties with the Netherlands? Indonesia has the potential to become a crucial player and key cooperation partner for Europe and the Netherlands in the Indo-Pacific. This snapshot investigates how the presidential elections of 14 February 2024 will affect this role.
The snapshot analyses the three candidates’ support for democratic values and human rights, and their preferences for Indonesia’s foreign policy. It links the findings to Indonesian-Dutch relations. Finally, the snapshot assesses which candidate is most likely to win. When it comes to foreign policy, the candidates do not differ substantially. Future Dutch-Indonesian ties will thus be shaped more by divergences and convergences on the support for democracy and human rights.
Maritime Security in a Time of Renewed Interstate Competition
How does the war in Ukraine and the redistribution of power towards the Indo-Pacific, and simultaneous technological trends, impact the objectives, tasks, concepts and doctrine, and thus the capabilities for the Royal Netherlands Navy (RNLN) and its European allies?
The rapid intensification of geopolitical disorder and growing number of threats demand a greater role from the Royal Netherlands Navy (RNLN) and its allies. But European naval forces declined sharply after the Cold War, raising questions about the current state of Dutch and European naval capabilities. In light of the recent political and military ambitions, the RNLN will therefore face a series of difficult choices when it comes to future investments and strategy. This HCSS report seeks to explore these questions, and offers a series of recommendations that may help answer them.
HCSS EIPH in the Media
Research from the HCSS Europe in the Indo-Pacific Hub is regularly quoted and referenced by (inter)national media, and our experts provide commentary for interviews, op-eds, newspaper articles and radio and television appearances. Some highlights:
- Huffington Post Italy | Una seconda nave da guerra nell’Indopacifico. E tutti si chiedono: che fa l’Italia laggiù?
- Atlantisch Perspectief | NATO should not go to the Indo-Pacific
- The Straits Times | Indo-Pacific a vital global economic player, but it also faces major challenges
- Taiwan Today | Deputy Economic Minister Chen concludes Netherlands visit keynote speech at thinktank HCSS
- War On The Rocks | A Two-Theater Tragedy: A Reluctant Europe Cannot Easily Escape a Sino-American War over Taiwan
- De Balie | Crisis Ahead: South China Sea Geopolitical Tensions
- War On The Rocks podcast | European Deterrence in the Indo-Pacific
- BNR De Strateeg podcast | De Strateeg: Moet de NAVO ook optreden bij een oorlog met China?
- EISS Conference: Debating the Future of War with Tim Sweijs
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