S Jaishankar, India’s External Affairs Minister, called on the European Union to engage in the Indo-Pacific for a stable multipolar region and world on Tuesday.
In a speech to the European Union Ministerial Forum on the Indo-Pacific in Paris, Jaishankar warned that if hegemonic designs in the Indo-Pacific are not countered, the forces of disequilibrium will spread to Europe.
“Today, we see challenges on that score with the clarity that proximity brings. And believe me, distance is no insulation. The issues we confront in the Indo-Pacific will extend beyond, even to Europe,” he said.
The EU’s and France’s commitments to the Indo-security Pacific’s were both appreciated by the foreign affairs minister, since both have a significant partnership presence and interests in the region.
“We welcome EU’s commitment to contribute to the security of the region. This remains a maritime century, and the tides of the Indo-Pacific region will certainly help shape its future. Our collective efforts can keep the oceans peaceful, open and secure, and, at the same time, contribute to conserve its resources and keep it clean,” he added.
The Indo-Pacific area encompasses a vast arc of enormous diversity, but it also has its own set of dynamics. We are signalling the importance of our collaboration with the EU in establishing a secure, prosperous, and peaceful future for the Indo Pacific by coming together in Paris, the minister stated.
“With its economic heft and expertise, the EU can also promote economic development, infrastructure, connectivity, digital transformation, climate change, biodiversity and human-centric concerns like health, besides security. For these reasons, we welcome EU’s Global Gateway,” Jaishankar said.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi‘s vision of a free, open, balanced, and inclusive Indo-Pacific region, which he presented in Singapore in 2018, was mentioned by Jaishankar throughout his address.
“India’s approach is broad-based and emphasises multilateralism, plurilateralism and collective action. These are combined in the Indo Pacific Oceans Initiative launched by Prime Minister Modi at the East Asia Summit in 2019. We are pleased that France, Australia, Indonesia and Japan chair one pillar each. We hope others too will step forward,” the minister said.
