India, Nov. 18 -- When the European Union (EU) launched its Strategy for Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific in September 2021, the world looked different. Four years on, this strategy has become the backbone of a stronger, more engaged European presence in the region. The 4th EU Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum in Brussels on November 20-21 is focusing on our cooperation to support our joint stability, prosperity and sustainability, while upholding international law, open trade and shared values.

Despite the distant geography, Europe and the Indo-Pacific find their futures increasingly interlinked in a world marked by geopolitical shifts, economic uncertainty, and intensifying strategic competition. Challenges ranging from growing pressure on...