INDIAN OCEAN NEW STRATEGIC PRIORITY FOR GERMANY

The Indian Ocean is a new strategic and diplomatic priority for Germany, which is for the first time holding a meeting of its ambassadors in Sri Lanka this week.

According to senior German diplomatic sources, “a global competition is shaping up over this region” and Berlin, as a major trading power, has “an interest in ensuring a stable, rules-based Indian Ocean”.

“We believe the Indian Ocean is underrated in geopolitics,” said a German diplomatic source. Underlining this focus, Germany’s foreign ministry is for the first time holding a meeting of its envoys in Sri Lanka from Wednesday.

Indian foreign secretary S Jaishankar will be among outside speakers invited to address the German diplomats on the Indian Ocean, the sources said.

A diplomat noted Germany arrived at its Indian Ocean focus through its own geopolitical calculations. “We need to bring attention to this body of water.”

On Tuesday, German state secretary Markus Ederer met Jaishankar in New Delhi ahead of the ambassadors’ conclave. The two also consulted about the agenda for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming Germany visit.

“Germany has developed a package for the Indian Ocean rim states,” said a source. “This ‘maritime agenda’ includes collaboration in the blue economy and connectivity projects.”