Indo-Pacific Strategy (Netherlands)

The Indo-Pacific Guidelines ("Indo-Pacifische Richtlijnen") were issued by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs in November 2020, making the Netherlands the second EU member state after France, and ahead of Germany's concept released the same year, to adopt a dedicated Indo-Pacific framework. The document reframes Dutch foreign policy by recognising that the centre of gravity in global economic and geopolitical affairs is shifting toward the region stretching from the east coast of Africa to the Pacific islands.

The guidelines identify several priority areas:

• Rules-based international order: support for international law, including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), particularly in maritime disputes in the South China Sea.
• Democracy, rule of law and human rights: engagement with partners on governance and civil liberties.
• Sustainable trade and connectivity: protecting open sea lanes critical to Dutch shipping and the Port of Rotterdam, and diversifying supply chains.
• Climate, energy and the SDGs: cooperation on green transition and ocean governance.
• Security: addressing maritime security, cyber threats, and proliferation concerns.

The document explicitly names China as both a partner, competitor and systemic rival — language echoing the European Commission's 2019 EU-China Strategic Outlook. It also emphasises strengthened ties with Japan, South Korea, India, Australia, ASEAN and Pacific island states.

The Dutch guidelines fed directly into the EU Strategy for Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, adopted by the Council in April 2021 and detailed in a Joint Communication in September 2021. The Netherlands has since deployed naval assets to the region, including the frigate HNLMS Evertsen sailing with the UK Carrier Strike Group 21, and has expanded defence and semiconductor-related dialogue with regional partners, reflecting the strategic salience of firms such as ASML in export-control discussions.