During an eight-day Indo-Pacific tour, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius repeatedly stressed the importance of a rules-based international order — the shared institutions and norms that have guided global cooperation for decades. His remarks found ready echo in Japan, Singapore and Australia, where officials underscored the value of international law and predictable norms.
In Canberra, Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles highlighted common ground with Germany, saying both countries respect the rule of law nationally and internationally and regard the rules-based order as deeply important. Pistorius and his counterparts repeatedly argued that developments in one region can have wide-ranging consequences elsewhere, stressing the interdependence of Europe and the Indo-Pacific.
Pistorius used the visit to signal a possible shift in Germany’s posture. Historically reliant on the United States for security, Germany now faces a changing transatlantic dynamic, prompting calls for greater self-reliance. Pistorius urged middle powers to cooperate more closely, suggesting that when such countries align their aims and back one another they can be “at least as strong” as global superpowers. Still, he insisted any sustainable international order would require participation from the big powers: “An international order needs the superpowers,” he said, adding that those who already are — and those that aspire to be — must not only sit at the table but help shape it.
Throughout his engagements Pistorius also urged political courage and warned against decision-making driven by fear. “Those who focus solely on their opponent or partner never act sovereignly. They are manipulated by fear. And decisions based on fear are always wrong,” he said.
The tour advanced the idea of an alliance of middle powers that could include Japan, Singapore, Australia and Germany, and that might reach out to countries in the Global South. Pistorius said nations in the Global South are seeking a different kind of influence and that their views should be taken into account when reshaping international arrangements. Countries such as Indonesia, South Africa and Turkey have long argued for a more inclusive order.
Pistorius’ trip also highlighted practical defense cooperation. He inspected Australia’s MQ‑28 “Ghost Bat” drone and tested the Rheinmetall Boxer armored vehicle with Australian counterparts, signaling Germany’s interest in modernizing its capabilities and strengthening industrial ties.
But forging a broader middle‑power coalition faces challenges. Persuading nations like India and Indonesia to adopt the same approach may prove difficult. India, which sees itself as a trustee of the Global South, is cautious about external prescriptions — a sensitivity rooted in its colonial history. A recent study by the German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP) argues India aims to exercise greater shaping power within a multipolar order and to become a distinct pole of influence, especially in the Indo‑Pacific. India’s long-standing military and political ties with Russia further complicate alignment with Western-led initiatives.
Pistorius described the international landscape as eroding and in need of reform. He labeled Russia “aggressive and revisionist” and said China’s growing influence and assertiveness must be addressed. He called for shifting the center of the international order so it better reflects contemporary realities, but acknowledged that such a shift requires buy-in from major powers.
The minimum basis for a coalition of middle powers, Pistorius suggested, would be a shared commitment to foundations like the UN Charter, international law and freedom of the seas. Bringing in like‑minded partners such as Japan, Singapore and Australia appears achievable; bringing in larger, more independent actors in the Global South will be harder.
Pistorius has laid groundwork for these ideas before: in 2023 he visited India and Indonesia and emphasized that strategic partnerships should gain momentum not only because of regional developments but because global dynamics demand closer cooperation. How far countries such as India will move toward a German-led vision of a reshaped rules-based order remains uncertain.
This article was translated from German