The German Ambassador to India, Philipp Ackermann, recently spoke at a seminar on the Indo-Pacific region, emphasizing the importance of preserving the international rules-based order. Ackermann highlighted that China is challenging this order in the region, and it is crucial to work with India as a preferred partner to address this issue. Ackermann further noted that the borders in the Indo-Pacific region are not safe anymore and that it is essential to preserve the international rules-based order to prevent aggression.

The German Ambassador also mentioned that various multilateral and mini-lateral groupings in the region are seeding the security framework in response to China. However, he also acknowledged that Germany cannot fully decouple from China, as the business interests are significant. Ackermann identified climate change as the next significant challenge in the region.

In his report titled ‘The Transitioning Security Order in the Indo-Pacific: Furthering India-EU & Triangular Collaboration,’ Ackermann noted that India and the European Union are uniquely positioned to foster a third way based on cooperative, consultative approaches as an alternative to the U.S.' binary-inclined strategies and China's opaque security visions.

Preserving the international rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific region is crucial for regional stability, and working with India as a preferred partner is necessary to achieve this objective. Ackermann's report highlights the need for a third way based on cooperative and consultative approaches, which could provide an alternative to the binary-inclined strategies of the United States and China's opaque security visions. Reference source: TH

UPSC Main Exam Question

Answer: The German Ambassador to India, Philipp Ackermann, recently highlighted the importance of preserving the international rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific region, as China continues to pose a challenge to this order. The Indo-Pacific region has become a major area of contention, with borders no longer being safe and the potential for aggression in the region. Ackermann emphasized the need for India and the European Union to work together as preferred partners to preserve the international rules-based order in the region.

China's challenges to the international rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific region include territorial disputes, military buildup, and disregard for international law. China's actions have led to various multilateral and mini-lateral groupings in the region that are seeding the security framework in response to China. Moreover, Germany cannot fully decouple from China, as their business interests are heavily intertwined.

To counter these challenges, India and the European Union are uniquely positioned to foster a third way based on cooperative and consultative approaches as an alternative to the U.S.' binarily-inclined strategies and China's opaque security visions. Ackermann's report titled 'The Transitioning Security Order in the Indo-Pacific: Furthering India-EU & Triangular Collaboration' suggests that India and the EU can work together to create a stable and cooperative security environment in the region. India's Act East Policy and the EU's Indo-Pacific Strategy can be leveraged to support regional connectivity, sustainable development, and maritime security.

In conclusion, preserving the international rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific region is essential for ensuring stability and prosperity in the region. China's challenges to this order must be addressed through multilateral and mini-lateral groupings, and India and the European Union can work together to foster a third way based on cooperative and consultative approaches. This will require close cooperation between the two partners, leveraging their respective policies to support regional connectivity, sustainable development, and maritime security.