The Indo-Pacific region is a recent concept that was first developed by Japanese politicians in 2007 and was subsequently adopted by several powers in the area, including India, Australia, the United States and Indonesia.

It covers a large area with loose frontiers from East Africa to the Pacific nations and even to the US West coast, according to certain countries. The region boasts up to 60 percent of the world’s population, with the two most populated countries, namely, China and India in one single region. The development of the Indo-Pacific region has become a major engine for global economic growth, with the successful economic rise of China and other emerging markets. Indo-Pacific countries are aiming for regional integration, for example, with the signing of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership in 2020.

The economic development of the Indo-Pacific region led the US to pivot towards Asia under the Obama administration. It is now time for the EU to adopt a similar approach and to develop a coordinated and autonomous policy vis-à-vis Indo-Pacific countries.