With Germany now following an Indo-Pacific strategy to keep sea lanes open for global trade, the frigate Bayern will visit Sri Lanka in January, Ambassador to the Indian Ocean island, Holger Seubert said.
Germany unveiled an Indo-Pacific strategy in 2020.
https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/en/aussenpolitik/regionaleschwerpunkte/asien/indo-pazifik-leitlinien-fortschritt/2481700
“Is there any hidden agenda by the Germans of assertion for new zones of influence? What’s the background of this decision?” Seubert said addressing Top German Brands in Sri Lanka.
Ambassador Seubert said there were two pillars to Germany’s Indo-Pacific strategy.
“First of all, we are convinced that the future of international relations in the region of Indo Pacific will be shaped here in the direct neighborhood of Sri Lanka,” Ambassador Seubert said.
“And the second pillar of our Indo Pacific strategy is free and open trade lines. So we are a traditional trading country and have been so for many decades. That’s why free and open and shipping routes are so essential for us.”
“But that’s not a political or military statement. It is basically a statement for free and open shipping lanes.”
Germany is among the top three importing nations of the world and also exporters along with China and the US.
Germany had a presence in Asia and the Pacific including mainland China and islands until World War II. Most of them went to Japan at the end of the war. In World War I Japan was allied with Britain.
After the end of World War II Japan lost the territories and some are now under US control. The Bayern is visiting Asian nations has been in Naval exercises with Japan, Australia and ASEAN nations.