French President Emmanuel Macron recently embarked on a significant diplomatic tour of Southeast Asia, visiting Vietnam (25–27 May), Indonesia (27–29 May), and Singapore (29–30 May). The trip showed France’s deepening commitment of growing geopolitical contestation and economic opportunity in the Indo-Pacific region. The visit, marked by high-level engagements, strategic agreements, and a keynote address at the Shangri-La Dialogue, highlighted France’s ambition to position itself as an ‘adjunct power’ and reliable partner amidst the intensifying U.S.-China rivalry. This visit reinforced France’s Indo-Pacific strategy—first adopted in 2019 and broadened in 2022—demonstrating Paris’s intent to play a constructive, multilateral role in shaping the region’s future.
France’s Indo-Pacific engagement[1] is anchored in both its geopolitical interests and sovereign presence in the region. With territories such as Mayotte, Réunion, New Caledonia, Wallis and Futuna, and French Polynesia, France views itself as an Indo-Pacific nation. France has 8% of the world’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) – more than any other – and 90% of this is in its Indo-Pacific territories. It gives France access to fisheries, minerals, and hydrocarbons. Economically, the Indo-Pacific is a key maritime trade hub, offering strategic and commercial incentives.
Source credit: The Foundation for strategic research (FRS)
Geopolitically, the region is at the epicentre of a growing contest between the U.S. and China. France, through its Indo-Pacific strategy, seeks to act as ‘another voice’ that is committed to multilateralism, the rule of law, and freedom of navigation, while avoiding binary alignment with either Washington or Beijing. France’s broader ambition of strategic autonomy and its status as a permanent member of the UN Security Council enmesh this approach. Macron’s visit was thus part of a broader effort to solidify France’s role in an increasingly fragmented regional order.
Macron’s visit to Vietnam, the first leg of his tour, focused on defence and economic cooperation. France has a colonial history with Vietnam, which has moved forward into a strategic one. The two have been comprehensive strategic partners since 2024; France was the first EU country to attain this status with Vietnam.[2]He met President Luong Cuong and Communist Party General Secretary Tô Lâm, and reaffirmed France’s support for Vietnam’s sovereignty and regional stability, particularly in the South China Sea (SCS).[3] Notably, Macron emphasised France as a ‘reliable and stable partner’—a pointed contrast to the 46% tariffs recently imposed by the U.S. on Vietnamese goods.
A total of 14 agreements were signed, covering aviation, healthcare, space, and defence.[4] The centrepiece was a contract for 20 Airbus A330neo aircraft for VietJet, cementing Airbus’s dominant position in Vietnam’s aviation market. Additional partnerships were signed in areas of nuclear energy, railway development, pharmaceuticals (including a Sanofi vaccine initiative), and satellite collaboration between Airbus Defence and Space.
Added to it is a $600 million deal between French shipping firm CMA CGM and Saigon Newport to develop a deepwater container terminal at Hai Phong in northern Vietnam scheduled to open in 2028.
Despite these advancements, France remains Vietnam’s fourth-largest EU trading partner, behind Germany, Netherlands and Italy. Bilateral trade was $5.4 billion in 2024, a 12.9% increase from the previous year.[5]Vietnam’s broader trade strategy includes major deals with the U.S. such as its proposed purchase of 250 Boeing aircraft, which, while not diminishing France’s role, underscores Hanoi’s balancing strategy among major powers.
In Indonesia, Macron’s visit solidified France’s position as Jakarta’s leading defence supplier in Southeast Asia.[6] Building on prior agreements, Macron and President Prabowo Subianto finalised 21 strategic deals across sectors ranging from defence to renewable energy, besides focusing on cultural ties. Indonesia’s earlier $8 billion purchase of 42 Rafale fighter jets from France and the partnership with its Naval Group to produce two Scorpene Evolved submarines were reaffirmed, with deliveries set to begin in January 2026.[7]
Macron went beyond the strategic aspects visiting the Borobudur Temple, and launching a cultural partnership focusing on heritage conservation and creative industries—cinema, fashion, video games, and gastronomy. He invited Prabowo to be his guest for Bastille Day celebrations this July 14. Macron’s visit to the Magelang Military Academy reflected growing trust and alignment in strategic priorities, including joint training and capacity building.
As in Vietnam, France is partnering in Indonesia’s infrastructure buildout, especially for Indonesia’s ambitious new capital, Nusantara, offering French investment in infrastructure and renewable energy. With Indonesia rich in nickel, essential for battery production, France sees potential for deeper economic cooperation. French companies already operate 200 subsidiaries in Indonesia, employing over 54,000 people but as in Vietnam, so too in Indonesia: France is still a modest economic partner, ranking fourth among European investors in Indonesia in 2024 with $328 million in investments.[8]
Macron used some subtle diplomacy for broader regional issues. Prabowo’s statement that Indonesia may recognise Israel if Palestine is recognised reflects Jakarta’s evolving foreign policy, which could present new avenues for EU engagement in the wider Indo-Pacific and West Asia nexus.
Though Macron skipped ASEAN Chair Malaysia, he did call on ASEAN Secretary-General Dr. Kao Kim Hourn in Jakarta. The visit built on the ASEAN-France Development Partnership (AFDP), and the ASEAN-France Fund which focuses on tangible cooperation such as energy transitions and food security.
Macron concluded his Southeast Asian tour in Singapore, where he met with President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and Prime Minister Lawrence Wong. The visit marked the elevation of France-Singapore relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP), with the signing of 13 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) spanning civil nuclear energy, digital innovation, artificial intelligence (AI), legal cooperation, transport, education, and defence.[10]
Singapore, as a regional financial and technological hub, is crucial to France’s Indo-Pacific ambitions.
Macron’s keynote speech at the Shangri-La Dialogue was the defining moment of his visit.[11] Macron is the first European head of state to deliver a keynote speech at the opening of the Dialogue since it began in 2002. Speaking to an audience of policy leaders, he warned against Asia ignoring the consequences of conflicts such as the war in Ukraine. He linked European security with Indo-Pacific stability by emphasising the importance of strategic autonomy, echoing shared concerns among Asian nations about being caught in the U.S.-China rivalry.
In his address, Macron promoted a ‘positive new alliance’ between Europe and Asia, grounded in shared values and interests—respect for sovereignty, freedom of navigation, and multilateral norms. He stressed that while many regional actors do not seek confrontation with China, they are increasingly wary of violations of international law. France’s Indo-Pacific strategy, first unveiled in 2018, he argued, remains rooted in providing a “third way” that prioritises cooperation over confrontation, where the region can look to France and the EU for support rather than the U.S.
While France’s economic footprint in Southeast Asia remains modest compared to China or the U.S., its multidimensional approach—combining defence, diplomacy, culture, and sustainability—sets a precedent for future European engagement. Macron’s Southeast Asian visit is not merely a diplomatic tour, but a strategic reaffirmation of France’s Indo-Pacific identity and aspirations.
Gurjit Singh is a former Indian Ambassador to Germany. He is currently promoting the impact investment movement for implementing SDGs in Africa.
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References:
[1] https://www.gatewayhouse.in/india-france-indo-pacific/
[2] Full Joint Statement on elevating Viet Nam-France ties to comprehensive strategic partnership, SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIET NAM, Government News, 8 October 2024, https://en.baochinhphu.vn/full-joint-statement-on-elevating-viet-nam-france-ties-to-comprehensive-strategic-partnership-111241008114341346.htm
[3] Emmanuel Macron’ State visit to Viet Nam aims to expand bilateral ties, SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIET NAM, Government News, 23 May, https://en.baochinhphu.vn/emmanuel-macron-state-visit-to-viet-nam-aims-to-expand-bilateral-ties-111250523143320258.htm
[4] French President concludes state visit to Vietnam, Vietnam+, 27 May 2025, https://en.vietnamplus.vn/french-president-concludes-state-visit-to-vietnam-post319983.vnp
[5] Vietnam, France deepen strategic partnership through PM Chinh’s visit, Voice of Vietnam, 9 June 2025, https://english.vov.vn/en/politics/vietnam-france-deepen-strategic-partnership-through-pm-chinhs-visit-post1205341.vov
[6] Coline Laroche, Indonesia, a Strategic Partner for France in the Indo-Pacific? IRIS, 28 May 2025, https://www.iris-france.org/en/lindonesie-un-partenaire-strategique-pour-la-france-en-indo-pacifique/
[7] Sebastian Strangio France, Indonesia Sign Agreement That Could Lead to Further Defence Purchases, The Diplomat, 29May 2025, https://thediplomat.com/2025/05/france-indonesia-sign-agreement-that-could-lead-to-further-defense-purchases/?utm_
[8] Ibid note 6 above
[10] State Visit by President of the French Republic Emmanuel Macron to Singapore,
MFA, Singapore 30 may 2025, https://www.mfa.gov.sg/Newsroom/Press-Statements-Transcripts-and-Photos/2025/05/300525-State-Visit-by-President-of-the-French-Republic-Emmanuel-Macron-to-Singapore
[11] President of the French Republic Emmanuel Macron delivers the Keynote Address, IISS Shangri-La Dialogue 2025, 30 May 2025, https://www.iiss.org/events/shangri-la-dialogue/shangri-la-dialogue-2025/plenary-sessions/keynote-address/