NIAS Area Studies


PAKISTAN READER

Photo Source: REUTERS/South China Morning Post
   NIAS Course on Global Politics
National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS)
Indian Institute of Science Campus, Bangalore
For any further information or to subscribe to GP alerts send an email to subachandran@nias.res.in

TWTW Note
President Macron’s visit to Vietnam, Indonesia & Singapore:

  Fleur Elizabeth Philip

The following note was first published as a part of The World This Week #313 Vol 7, No 22, 01 June 2025

 

President Macron’s visit to Vietnam, Indonesia & Singapore:
The focus on Politics, Trade and Defence

Fleur Elizabeth Philip

What happened?
On 26 May, France’s President Emmanuel Macron embarked on a visit to Southeast Asian countries- Vietnam, Indonesia, and Singapore. He met the Secretary General of Vietnam’s Communist Party, who said that with “France, there is trust, reliability, and friendship.” France and Vietnam signed over a dozen deals worth USD 10 billion in various sectors, including, in defence, the sharing of information on strategic matters, cybersecurity, and anti-terrorism. Vietnam also signed an agreement for the purchase of vaccines from the French pharmaceutical company Sanofi. Airbus signed a separate declaration on the development of Earth-observing satellites. The two countries discussed possible cooperation in the development of new power sources, pumped storage, hydropower, energy storage, and grid operations, and signed two agreements on renewable and nuclear energy. 

On 28 May, he visited Central Java, Indonesia, where he met President Prabowo Subianto. Both leaders signed several deals boosting cooperation. The deals include the order of 42 French military equipment, Rafale jets, and Scorpion submarines. Five radar systems   would be installed in Nusantara. 20 MoUs worth USD 11 billion were signed between French mining company Eramet and the newly established Indonesian sovereign wealth fund Danantara. 

On 29 May, President Macron traveled to Singapore. He attended the 22nd Shangri-La dialogue, which is taking place from 30 May to 01 June. Macron at the Shangri-La dialogue in Singapore stated that the aim of building new coalitions between Europe and Asia is to reset the global order, amidst the growing tensions between China and the US. France also aims to strengthen the commercial ties between the EU and Asia. France and Singapore have signed agreements on nuclear power, clean energy, defence, cyberspace, AI, and intelligence sharing. Both Prime Minister Wong and President Macron emphasized the importance of legitimate international engagement amidst the China-US trade war. Wong said that, with uncertainty everywhere, it is important for “like-minded” countries like France and Singapore to work together. 

What’s the background?
First, France’s ties with Vietnam. In October 2024, France and Vietnam established a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP), which, according to Hanoi, is of the highest diplomatic ties. Vietnam, among the Southeast Asian regions, is the 17th largest trading partner of the EU, and the value of trade in goods in the FY 2024 had reached EUR 67 billion. The cultural ties between France and Vietnam go back to the 17th century. It started off with the arrival of the French Catholic Missionaries, followed by French colonization. For 60 years, French influence could be seen in every aspect of Vietnamese lifestyle, including in their architecture, culture, art, and cuisine.

Second, the economic ties between France and Indonesia. The economic relationship between the countries is multifaceted, robust, and developing. Indonesia imports various products from France, like aircraft equipment, computers, machinery, cosmetics, chemicals, perfumes, food, metals, metallurgical products, and pharmaceuticals, whereas France imports electronics, nuclear reactors, rubber, fish, animal fat, vegetable oils, medical apparatus, and many more. 

What does this mean?
First, the visit to Southeast Asia suggests that, amidst the trade war and economic uncertainties around the world, Southeast Asia now has the opportunity to diversify their exports, expanding their presence in European and Middle Eastern markets. 

Second, for France, the trip would likely increase its influence in the region and renew its past relations. By signing deals on defence and energy, France advocated for a balance in the international order and poses as an alternative player in the Indo-Pacific region, in addition to the US and China. With France, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Singapore finding alternative solutions to the tariffs, this visit could lead to cooperation between the EU and ASEAN.
 


About the author 
Fleur Elizabeth Philip is a Research Assistant at NIAS.

Print Bookmark

June 2026 | CWA # 2132

Brighty Ann Sarah | Brighty Ann Sarah is a Research Assistant with the Global Politics team at the Science, Technology and International Relations (STIR) Programme at the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), Bengaluru.

The US-Iran War, Week Fourteen:
June 2026 | CWA # 2131

Rohini Reenum | Rohini Reenum is a doctoral student at NIAS. She is working on Governance in Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction using the case study of the BBNJ Agreement.

Israel-Lebanon Tensions:
June 2026 | CWA # 2130

Akshath Kaimal | Akshath Kaimal is a Research Assistant at the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), Bengaluru, and is part of the NIAS Pakistan Reader and Africa Studies teams.

The UK-Rwanda Asylum Deal: 
June 2026 | CWA # 2129

Anu Maria Joseph | Anu Maria Joseph is currently a Non-Resident Fellow, Subhas Chandra Bose International Relations (SCB-IR) Chair, Chanakya University, Bengaluru.

Conflicts in Africa This Week:
May 2026 | CWA # 2127

Madhura Meenakshi Tanikella | Madhura Meenakshi Tanikella is an undergraduate from the Department of Political Science, School of Liberal Arts, Alliance University, Bengaluru

The Quad Foreign Ministers' Meeting 2026:
May 2026 | CWA # 2126

Aparna A Nair | Aparna A Nair is a graduate from the Department of Political Science, Madras Christian College, Chennai.

The Shenzhou-23 Mission:
May 2026 | CWA # 2124

Glynnis Winona B | Glynnis Winona B is an undergraduate student at the Department of International Relations, Peace Studies, and Public Policy, St. Joseph's University, Bengaluru. She is currently an intern at the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), Bengalur

The Crisis in Cuba:
May 2026 | CWA # 2123

Akshath Kaimal | Akshath Kaimal is a Research Associate at NIAS and is part of the NIAS Pakistan Reader and Africa Studies teams.

The Ebola and the DR Congo:
May 2026 | CWA # 2122

Radhika M Agarwal | Radhika M Agarwal is a postgraduate student at the Department of Politics and International Relations in Pandit Deendayal Energy University, Gandhinagar.

The War in Ukraine:
May 2026 | CWA # 2121

Deb Dutta | Deb Dutta completed his graduation from the Department of Political Science, Sir Aurobindo International Centre of Education (SAICE), Puducherry. He is currently an intern at NIAS.

Israel, Lebanon, Hezbollah, and the Border Tensions:
May 2026 | CWA # 2120

Brighty Ann Sarah | Brighty Ann Sarah is a Research Assistant with the Global Politics team at the Science, Technology and International Relations (STIR) Programme at the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), Bengaluru.

Conflicts in the Middle East
May 2026 | CWA # 2119

Anu Maria Joseph | Anu Maria Joseph is currently a Non-Resident Fellow, Subhas Chandra Bose International Relations (SCB-IR) Chair, Chanakya University, Bengaluru.

Conflicts in Africa
May 2026 | CWA # 2116

Yesasvi Koganti | Yesasvi Koganti is currently pursuing undergraduate studies at the Department of Political Science, Madras Christian College, Chennai. 

India, the UAE, and PM Modi’s visit:
May 2026 | CWA # 2115

Aparna A Nair | Aparna A Nair is a research intern at the National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bengaluru.

The Putin-Xi Summit
May 2026 | CWA # 2114

Glynnis Winona B | Glynnis Winona B is an undergraduate student at the Department of International Relations, Peace Studies and Public Policy, St. Joseph's University, Bengaluru. She is currently an intern at the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), Bengaluru

What makes the UAE a global player?
May 2026 | CWA # 2113

Aishal Hab Yousuf | Aishal Hab Yousuf is a postgraduate student at the Department of International Studies, Stella Maris College, Chennai. She is currently an intern at NIAS, Bengaluru.

Sri Lanka and the US-Iran War 
May 2026 | CWA # 2112

Nithin V | Nithin V is a postgraduate student in international relations at Loyola College, Chennai. He is currently an intern at the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), Bengaluru.

Why does the Falkland Islands dispute keep recurring?
May 2026 | CWA # 2110

Aishal Hab Yousuf | Aishal Hab Yousuf is a postgraduate student at the Department of International Studies, Stella Maris College, Chennai. She is currently an intern at the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), Bengaluru.

The Trump-Xi Summit:
May 2026 | CWA # 2109

Aishal Hab Yousuf | Aishal Hab Yousuf is a postgraduate student at the Department of International Studies, Stella Maris College, Chennai. She is currently an intern at the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), Bengaluru.

North Korea's Constitutional Amendment 2026:
May 2026 | CWA # 2108

Ada Khan | Ada Khan is an undergraduate at the Department of Political Science, Public Policy, and Media Studies, Mount Carmel College, Bengaluru.

The Africa Forward Summit 2026:
May 2026 | CWA # 2104

Brighty Ann Sarah | Brighty Ann Sarah is a Research Assistant with the Global Politics team at the Science, Technology and International Relations (STIR) Programme at the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), Bengaluru.

The Israel-Lebanon Ceasefire:
May 2026 | CWA # 2091

Brighty Ann Sarah | Brighty Ann Sarah is a Research Assistant with the Global Politics team at the Science, Technology and International Relations (STIR) Programme at the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), Bengaluru.

Conflicts in the Middle East:
May 2026 | CWA # 2090

Brighty Ann Sarah | Brighty Ann Sarah is a Research Assistant with the Global Politics team at the Science, Technology and International Relations (STIR) Programme at the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), Bengaluru.

The US-Iran War, Week Ten:
May 2026 | CWA # 2088

Nithin V | Nithin V is a postgraduate student in International Relations, with an interest in geopolitics, international political economy, and climate governance. He is currently an intern at the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), Bengaluru.

King Charles's US Visit:
May 2026 | CWA # 2087

Siddhi Halyur | Siddhi Halyur is an undergraduate student at the Department of International Relations, Public Policy and Journalism at St Joseph's University, Bengaluru. She is currently an intern at the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), Bengaluru.

Japan, Vietnam and PM Takaichis Visit
May 2026 | CWA # 2086

Aishal Hab Yousuf | Aishal Hab Yousuf is a postgraduate student at the Department of International Studies, Stella Maris College, Chennai. She is currently an intern at the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), Bengaluru.

UAEs Exit from OPEC:
May 2026 | CWA # 2085

Glynnis Winona B | Glynnis Winona B is an undergraduate student at the Department of International Relations, Peace Studies and Public Policy, St. Joseph's University, Bengaluru. She is currently an intern at the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), Bengaluru

US troop withdrawal from Germany:
May 2026 | CWA # 2083

Brighty Ann Sarah | Brighty Ann Sarah is a Research Assistant with the Global Politics team at the Science, Technology and International Relations (STIR) Programme at the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), Bengaluru.

The US-Iran War, Week Nine:
May 2026 | CWA # 2081

Jenin Raj S | Dr Jenin Raj S is an Assistant Professor and Head of the Centre for Media, Department of Journalism, Mount Carmel College (Autonomous), Bengaluru.

Media freedom hits a 25-year low:
April 2026 | CWA # 2079

Aishal Hab Yousuf | Aishal Hab Yousuf, Postgraduate student, Department of International Studies, Stella Maris College, Chennai. She is currently an intern at the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), Bengaluru.

Japans New Defence Posture:
April 2026 | CWA # 2074

Brighty Ann Sarah | Ms Sarah is a Research Assistant at NIAS and Assistant Editor of NIAS Conflict Weekly.

Israel-Lebanon Ceasefire:
April 2026 | CWA # 2073

Akshath Kaimal | Mr Kaimal is a Research Assistant at NIAS. He works on Pakistan and Africa.

The US-Iran War, Week Eight:
April 2026 | CWA # 2065

Lakshmi Venugopal Menon | Dr Lakshmi Venugopal Menon is an academic and policy researcher specializing in Gulf studies, cultural heritage trafficking, geopolitics, migration, Afghan politics and the Taliban.

The Middle East (JanMar 2026):
February 2026 | CWA # 1959

Yesasvi Koganti | Yesasvi Koganti is an undergraduate student from Madras Christian College, Chennai.

UK and China
February 2026 | CWA # 1957

R Preetha | R Preetha is pursuing post-graduation in the Department of International Studies, Stella Maris College, Chennai, and is a Research Assistant at the National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bengaluru.

The IndiaUS interim trade framework
February 2026 | CWA # 1956

Lekshmi MK | Lekshmi MK is pursuing post-graduation in the Department of Political Science, Madras Christian College, Chennai, and is a Research Assistant at the National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bengaluru.

End of the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START)
August 2025 | CWA # 1780

Abhiruchi Chowdhury

Trump tariffs:
June 2025 | CWA # 1694

Aashish Ganeshan

The US:
May 2025 | CWA # 1688

Ayan Datta

Gaza
May 2025 | CWA # 1675

Lekshmi MK

Turkey:
May 2025 | CWA # 1673

Padmashree Anandhan

Ukraine:
May 2025 | CWA # 1667

R Preetha and Brighty Ann Sarah

East Asia:
September 2019 | CWA # 162

Lakshman Chakravarthy N

5G: A Primer
December 2018 | CWA # 71

Mahesh Bhatta | Centre for South Asian Studies, Kathmandu

Nepal
December 2018 | CWA # 70

Nasima Khatoon | Research Associate, ISSSP, NIAS

The Maldives
December 2018 | CWA # 69

Harini Madhusudan | Research Associate, ISSSP, NIAS

India
December 2018 | CWA # 68

Sourina Bej | Research Associate, ISSSP, NIAS

Bangladesh
December 2018 | CWA # 67

Seetha Lakshmi Dinesh Iyer | Research Associate, ISSSP, NIAS

Afghanistan