Germany is all set to develop stronger ties with democratic countries in the India-Pacific region, Nikkei Asian Review has reported.
This development is a result of Europe’s increasing attention to the human rights violations caused in China, a country that shared a mutually coherent relationship with Germany.
China's concentration camps for Uyghur Muslims in Xinjiang and its atrocities in Hong Kong have apparently troubled the German chancellor’s positive policies and outlook towards them.
China is the beneficiary of 50 per cent of Germany’s trade in the India-Pacific region. However, Berlin’s businesses situated in the Asian country are compelled to give up their technology by the Chinese government and face concerns over protection of their intellectual property.
Earlier this month, Germany’s foreign minister Heiko Maas remarked, “We want to help shape (the future global order) so that it is based on rules and international cooperation, not on the law of the strong. That is why we have intensified cooperation with those countries that share our democratic and liberal values.”
Merkel is primarily looking for more open markets in the India-Pacific region, a strategy which has been advocated by the likes of Australia, India, Japan and other ASEAN countries too.
This move provides India an opportunity to develop better economic bonds with Germany, whilst taking one of China’s key allies away from them in the midst of the two countries being engaged in a tense standoff at the border.
An Appeal...
Dear Reader,
As you are no doubt aware, Swarajya is a media product that is directly dependent on support from its readers in the form of subscriptions. We do not have the muscle and backing of a large media conglomerate nor are we playing for the large advertisement sweep-stake.
Our business model is you and your subscription. And in challenging times like these, we need your support now more than ever.
We deliver over 10 - 15 high quality articles with expert insights and views. From 7AM in the morning to 10PM late night we operate to ensure you, the reader, get to see what is just right.
Becoming a Patron or a subscriber for as little as Rs 1200/year is the best way you can support our efforts.