France’s approach to the Indo-Pacific region

Abstract

France updated its Indo-Pacific strategy in February 2022, just before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The country’s president and top officials have insisted that the crisis in Europe will not distract the government from its ambitious goals in the Indo-Pacific, the most important of which is defending France’s sovereignty interests, which Paris feels have been challenged by China’s growing military power and international behaviour. To accomplish these goals, France will attempt to upgrade its military operational capability in the region and increase coordination with important international partners, including India and Japan.