By Dr Subhash Kapila
“The new American ‘pivot towards Asia’ is a brilliant illustration of the place of this region which is now key to the balance of today’s world and in defining our security interests. This area is indeed a strategic stake for France which is and will remain a power in the Pacific and Indian Ocean. I came here to affirm that France firmly intends to remain committed to fostering security in the Asia Pacific area.” — French Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, Address at Shangri-La Dialogue Singapore June 03 2012.
United States strategic pivot to Asia was the over-riding theme at the Shangri-La Dialogue 2012 early this month in Singapore. The three day meet was addressed by high dignitaries from the major countries of the Asia Pacific region with the exception of China. China confined its participation to a three star general. China feared that it would become the focus of critical comments for its recent aggressive military postures in the South China Sea and its overall disturbing military postures in the Asia Pacific.
Strikingly evident was the impression that one got was that virtually no country was critical of the United States on its strategic pivot to Asia and its rebalancing of its military postures in the Asia Pacific. China though not referred in direct terms hovered heavily as the prime strategic and military concern for the Asia Pacific region in the three day confabulations.
Media reportage focussed more on the address by the US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta and his swing through Asia Pacific preceding and after this meet and the analyses of US postures. Lost in this maze was the address of the new French Defence Minister which should have drawn more attention in terms of its strong assertions and reaffirmation on French commitments to Asia Pacific security as evident from stands quoted above.
Some additional excerpts too need to be quoted verbatim to highlight the significance that France attaches to what is unfolding in the Asia Pacific:
Read the full story at Eurasia Review