By Monsi A. Serrano
Cognizant of the Indo-Pacific’s central role in global economic and geopolitical developments, Europe — particularly Italy — is taking a more active role in strategic engagement with partners while carefully managing economic interests and the risk of being drawn into regional tensions, according to Italian scholar Professor Stefano Pelaggi.
Speaking during the recent seminar “Indo-Pacific: Cyber Domain as the New Frontier of Security” hosted by the Italian Embassy in Manila, Pelaggi highlighted the ongoing debate within European policy, academic, and defense circles over how countries such as Italy should position themselves in what many analysts now consider the world’s most strategically significant region.
Italy, he noted, is widely regarded as a middle power with strong global economic reach but traditionally focused on its core geopolitical priorities—its transatlantic alliance with the United States, its integration within the European Union, and its strategic orientation toward the broader Mediterranean region.
However, shifting global dynamics are increasingly drawing European attention toward the Indo-Pacific, where economic growth, maritime security, and geopolitical competition are rapidly reshaping the international order.
Pelaggi pointed to emerging strategic thinking in Europe that seeks to connect the Mediterranean with the Indo-Pacific through new frameworks sometimes described as the “Indo-Mediterranean,” linking traditional European spheres of influence with Asia’s expanding economic and security architecture.
Still, the debate in Italy is far from settled.
While policymakers recognize the region’s growing importance, Pelaggi said they are also weighing the risks of “over-stretching” the country’s diplomatic, economic, and military resources while maintaining stable economic relations with major global partners.
Rome’s decision to withdraw from the Belt and Road Initiative reflects part of that careful recalibration, as Italy reassesses its strategic posture while avoiding unnecessary geopolitical confrontation.
So far, Italy’s engagement in the Indo-Pacific has largely taken the form of naval diplomacy, defense cooperation, and strategic coordination with allied nations.
Recent naval deployments and joint exercises with partners such as the United States and Australia signal a gradual expansion of European presence in the region, although Italian forces have generally avoided highly sensitive waterways such as the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait.
According to Pelaggi, these missions also serve to demonstrate technological capability and strengthen interoperability with allied navies.
The discussion formed part of a broader academic initiative tied to the publication of a book examining the economic and geopolitical implications of the South China Sea.
The volume brings together European and Filipino scholars and policymakers to analyze the strategic importance of one of the world’s most contested maritime regions while also revisiting the historical evolution of relations between Italy and the Philippines.
Pelaggi noted that historical records reveal early naval missions played a role in shaping diplomatic engagement between the two countries, with maritime exchanges serving as one of the earliest links between Italy and the Philippines.
For Manila, he said, Europe’s growing attention to the Indo-Pacific offers an opportunity to deepen dialogue and expand cooperation with European partners seeking stronger engagement in Southeast Asia.
As Europe reassesses its strategic role in the region, the Philippines could benefit from strengthening economic, diplomatic, and security partnerships with countries looking to contribute to stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific.
“The Indo-Pacific will shape the global order of the future,” Pelaggi said, emphasizing that engagement in the region will be essential for countries seeking to remain relevant in an increasingly interconnected global landscape.
For Philippine policymakers, Europe’s evolving posture toward the Indo-Pacific presents a timely opportunity to broaden partnerships and reinforce the country’s role as a key stakeholder in shaping the region’s future.