The Indo-Pacific as a Strategic Space

The Indo-Pacific has emerged as the world’s economic and strategic centre of gravity, an area in which established and rising powers are now heavily competing with one another. Our work particularly emphasises the perspectives of actors (both governmental and non-governmental) in the Indo-Pacific. Learn more about the GIGA’s research on this strategic space. 

The Indo-Pacific as a Strategic Space

  • Contact

    Current Research

    Countries and Regions



    Research Project | 01/01/2022 - 31/12/2022

    Engaging the Indo-Pacific: German and Korean Perspectives on Regional Cooperation

    A policy-oriented research project bringing together the GIGA and the East Asia Institute in Seoul. The project aims at analysing German/EU and Korean strategies for Indo-Pacific engagement and identifying areas for in-depth consultation, coordination and cooperation.
    Korea Foundation, 2022

    Prof. Dr. Sook-Jong Lee

    Prof. Dr. Yul Sohn

    Prof. Dr. Chaesung Chun

    Research Project | 01/07/2018 - 31/12/2021

    Recalibrating China Policy: Australia and New Zealand in Comparative Perspective

    Australia and New Zealand (NZ) have in recent years been at the forefront of the growing confrontation between the ‘West’ and China. Despite very close economic ties with China, both countries have substantially changed their approaches to dealing with the People’s Republic. This research project contributes to and seeks to advance relevant academic as well as policy-oriented debates on the topic.
    GIGA, 2018-2021

    Research Project | 01/01/2017 - 01/12/2019

    Crisis Narratives, Institutional Change and State Transformation: Japan in the Global Context

    While East Asia’s and especially China’s economic growth has become a major driving force of global change, developed countries struggle to readjust their social, economic and political institutions to the challenges of financial crises, shrinking populations, and the rising demand for and costs of social welfare. As an economically and technologically highly advanced society, Japan finds itself at the intersection and forefront of these regional and global changes.
    GIGA, Tohoku University Forum for Creativity, 2017-2019

    Dr. Sebastian Maslow

    Prof. Dr. David Chiavacci

    Prof. Dr. Hiroko Takeda

    Dr. Jeremy Breaden

    Prof. Dr. Koichi Hasegawa

    Ass. Prof. Dr. Saori Shibata

    Dr. Paul O'Shea

    Ass. Prof. Dr. Raymond Yamamoto

    Ass. Prof. Dr. Dr. Ra Mason

    Dr. Shogo Suzuki


    The Sciences Po Series in International Relations and Political Economy | Palgrave Macmillan | 08/2025

    Order and Agency in the Indo-Pacific

    This book offers perspectives on Indo-Pacific dynamics by a set of experts who have collaborated in the Franco-German Observatory of the Indo-Pacific. The volume speaks to and enriches scholarly discussions on the nexus of order(ing) and agency in that strategic space.

    Prof. Dr. Delphine Allès

    Dr. Christophe Jaffrelot

    The Sciences Po Series in International Relations and Political Economy | 08/2025

    Order(ing) and Agency in the Indo-Pacific: Analytical Issues and the Contributions of This Volume

    This chapter provides an introduction to the edited volume 'Order and Agency in the Indo-Pacific'. It first charts the rise of the Indo-Pacific as a strategic space and discusses Indo-Pacific dynamics. The chapter then addresses two core analytical concepts, viz. order(ing) and agency.

    Dr. Christophe Jaffrelot

    Prof. Dr. Delphine Allès

    9DashLine | 07/2025

    Building Bridges: EU-Taiwan–ASEAN Connectivity for a Multipolar World

    In their policy, Julia Gurol-Haller and Zsuzsa Anna Ferenczy explore the possibilities for closer European collaboration with Taiwan and ASEAN in a world of intensifying geostrategic and geopolitical competition. They argue that there is a critical opportunity for a trilateral dialogue.

    Stockholm Paper | Institute for Security & Development Policy | 04/2025

    India-Sweden Ties as a Gateway to India-Nordic Engagement

    This paper presents a culmination of policy papers and features diverse scholarly perspectives from leading academics and experts. India’s ties with the Nordics and the EU hold great potential but face several challenges. Sustained political will and regular policy exchanges are essential to overcoming divergences and strengthening cooperation.

    SciencesPo Center for International Studies (CERI) | Interview | 01/09/2025

    Why is the Indo-Pacific attracting so much attention?

    In this interview, the three co-editors of Order and Agency in the Indo-Pacific speak about the new book, Indo-Pacific dynamics, and the European Union's interest in this strategic space. 

    Prof. Dr. Delphine Allès

    Dr. Christophe Jaffrelot

    Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom | 14/10/2025

    Chinas New Silk Road: Global power projection or failed vision?

    Organiser: Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom Dr. Julia Gurol-Haller (Speaker)

    What has China achieved with the BRI and where does the project reach its limits? What successes and setbacks has the BRI produced so far? And how does the initiative affect the international order? Julia Gurol-Haller discussed these questions in a live stream.

    Center for International Studies, SciencesPo (CERI) | 09/10/2025

    Navigating the Indo-Pacific: Many Actors, Little Order?

    Organiser: Center for International Studies, SciencesPo (CERI) Prof. Dr. Patrick Köllner (Speaker), Dr. Christophe Jaffrelot (Speaker), Prof. Dr. Delphine Allès (Speaker)

    On the occasion of a book launch of 'Order and Agency in the Indo-Pacific', Patrick Köllner joins his fellow co-editors Delphine Allès and Christophe Jaffrelot to present the key insights of the work, discuss current Indo-Pacific dynamics and the European Union's interest in that strategic space.

    Dr. Christophe Jaffrelot

    Prof. Dr. Delphine Allès

    Conference | 25/08/2025 - 29/08/2025

    China's Global Security Initiative

    18th EISA Pan-European Conference on International Relations, University of Bologna, Bologna Organisers: European International Studies Association Dr. Julia Gurol-Haller (Speaker), Dr. Sebastian Biba (Speaker)

    In their paper draft, Julia Gurol-Haller and Sebastian Biba explore the reception of China's Global Security Initiative in three world regions (Central Asia, South East Asia and Africa) through a role-theoretical approach.

    President (ad interim)

    Prof. Dr. Sabine Kurtenbach is President (ad interim) of the GIGA.

    Prof. Dr. Sabine Kurtenbach

    Regional Institutes

    Africa|Asia|Latin America|Middle East

    Notification

    Sign up to receive email notifications about GIGA activities

    Social Media

    Follow us