The Asia Society Policy Institute convened a business roundtable to discuss Europe’s broader goals and ambitions in the Indo-Pacific. The roundtable was organised in collaboration with the French Chamber of Industries and Commerce on 26th February 2023 at Hyatt Regency, New Delhi. Mr. Philippe Le Corre, Senior Fellow, Asia Society France, was the speaker, moderated by Vice Admiral Anil Chopra, former Chief Western Naval Command. The discussion brought together think tank analysts, strategic thinkers, business executives, and academicians. The key question, posed by the moderator, was to reflect on Europe’s bandwidth for shouldering greater responsibilities in the Indo-Pacific.

Here are a few key takeaways from the discussion —

• The discussion underlined China’s growing power as a threat to Taiwan.

• China’s attempts to shift the status quo with Taiwan will be likely insidious rather than an overt military action.

• Europe’s engagement with the Indo-Pacific has transformed from mere commercial stakes in the 1980s and 1990s to strategic interest as the Indo-Pacific construct succeeded the Asia-Pacific. A key inflection point has been the attribution by the European Union of China as a ‘systemic rival’ in its Indo-Pacific strategy.

• Europe’s economic shift towards India, while intentional, remains stalled.