In a news article published in the German press on March 25, 2024, it was claimed that India and Germany are seeking to strengthen their defense ties.[1] Until recently, defense-security cooperation between the two countries had remained minimal. However, the Russia-Ukraine War and increased pressure from Europe on China have paved the way for New Delhi and Berlin to enhance their defense partnerships.
Regarding this issue, Germany’s Ambassador to India, Philipp Ackermann, stated in an interview on March 4, 2024, that there is now “clear political will” in Berlin to enhance defense ties with New Delhi and described it as a “major paradigm shift.”[2]
The defense ministers of both countries have expedited their discussions on regional security situations, enhancing defense cooperation, and potential joint exercises. In this context, it is planned for the German Air Force to participate in multilateral exercises hosted by the Indian Air Force in August 2024. Additionally, in October of this year, a German frigate and a war support ship are scheduled to visit the western state of Goa in India.
Germany has begun to see actors like India and Japan as natural partners in the Asia-Pacific region instead of China. For India, the military partnership with Germany is aimed at reducing decades-old dependence on Russian weapons and diversifying defense procurement. A visit by Germany’s Defense Minister Boris Pistorius to India last year has given new momentum to bilateral defense partnership. Pistorius, the first German defense minister to visit the South Asian country since 2015, advocated for the enhancement of strategic partnership with India and particularly defense cooperation. During Pistorius’s visit to India, German and Indian companies signed an agreement envisioning the possible construction of six advanced stealth diesel-electric submarines.[3]
To outline its policies towards the Asia-Pacific region, Germany published a vision document titled “Germany-Europe-Asia: Shaping the 21st Century Together” in September 2020. The directive emphasizes that the development of the region directly or indirectly affects Germany’s prosperity and security. The increased interest of major powers in the region’s economic, political, and security developments over the past two to three years has influenced Germany’s opening to the region.
With the shift of global power competition towards this region, Germany has begun redirecting its economic, military, and political interests towards the region to avoid falling behind other actors. The clearest indication of this interest was Germany’s dispatch of a warship to the region for the first time in 20 years in August of last year. Olaf Scholz, Germany’s new Chancellor who took office in December 2021, made his first overseas visit to Japan in April. The preference for Japan over China in this outreach has sparked considerable debate and has been interpreted as Germany’s effort to chart a new direction in its regional policies. Striving to balance between India, China, and Japan, Germany is attempting to navigate its policies towards the region delicately.
Due to being Germany’s largest trading partner for the past 7 years, China holds a different position in Berlin’s foreign policy compared to Japan. Japan is Germany’s second-largest trading partner in Asia. Nevertheless, the Berlin administration is attempting to shift its trade focus from China to Japan due to increasing regional and global geopolitical risks. While Germany seeks to maintain positive relations with China while safeguarding its commercial interests, it is also shaping its Asia-Pacific policies under pressure from the United States (US). However, Germany avoids polarizing with China, unlike the US.
In recent years, the Group of Seven (G7) countries, including Germany and Japan, have increasingly targeted China. Nevertheless, Beijing is making efforts to establish positive relations with G7 countries. Indeed, one of Beijing’s major concerns is the deterioration of its political and economic relations with Europe under US pressure. It can be said that Europe, following the path of the US, is becoming more involved in the strategy of encircling China in the Asia-Pacific region.
In general, Germany has been striving to increase its military presence in the region, especially over the past three years, and one of its biggest allies in the region is Japan.[4] Germany states that it may send more ships and aircraft to the region in the future. On the other hand, it also seeks to avoid getting into a potential trade war with China. However, increasing Berlin’s military presence in the region could provoke a reaction from Beijing.
Therefore, Germany has begun to focus on its allies such as Japan and India in trade as alternatives to China. As a Western power, Germany has increasingly become involved in political, economic, and military competition in the Asia-Pacific region. Taking into account regional and global risks and threats, the Berlin administration is trying to pursue a balanced approach politically among New Delhi, Beijing, and Tokyo. Germany focuses on enhancing cooperation in security with India, Japan, and Australia, while maintaining its ties with China in trade relations.
[1] “India, Germany push to boost defense ties”, DW, https://www.dw.com/en/india-germany-push-to-boost-defense-ties/a-68662072, (Erişim Tarihi: 26.03.2024).
[2] Aynı yer.
[3] Aynı yer.
[4] “Germany Says It Will Expand Military Presence in Indo-Pacific as China Threat Looms”, Al Arabiya, https://english.alarabiya.net/News/world/2022/08/31/Germany-says-it-will-expand-military-presence-in-Indo-Pacific-as-China-threat-looms, (Erişim Tarihi: 26.03.2024).
