The Eurasia Roundtable Discussion was held at Corvinus University of Budapest, co-organized by the Eurasia Center of John von Neumann University, the Hungarian-Chinese Youth Friendship Association, the Department of International and Political Studies of Milton Friedman University, and the Center for Contemporary Asian Studies at Corvinus University of Budapest.

The central theme of the event was the geopolitics of maritime chokepoints in the Indo-Pacific region, examining their impact on global trade and security. Esteemed experts, including Dr. László Csicsmann, Dr. Scott N. Romaniuk, and Dr. Péter Klemensits, participated in the discussion. The session was opened by Dr. Levente Horváth, Director of the Eurasia Center at John von Neumann University, with Máté Szakáli, a researcher at the center, serving as the moderator.

The moderator’s first question addressed the importance of maritime chokepoints, particularly their economic and strategic significance for the European Union and individual countries.

In his response, Dr. László Csicsmann emphasized that maritime chokepoints like the Panama Canal, Suez Canal, Strait of Hormuz, and Strait of Malacca are indispensable for global trade. He highlighted that these routes constitute over 90% of world trade, and their closure — as evidenced by the 2021 Ever Given incident — can lead to significant financial losses worldwide. Finding alternative routes is not an easy task, reinforcing the strategic importance of these chokepoints.

Dr. Péter Klemensits particularly underscored the significance of the Strait of Malacca, one of Southeast Asia’s most crucial maritime chokepoints. Handling $35 trillion worth of global trade annually, this strait plays a vital role not only for China and Japan but also for global economic relations. The expert stressed the importance of infrastructure development, such as ports, railways, and highways, which is crucial for the region’s economic progress and competitiveness.

The following question pertained to East Asian countries’ responses to the Malacca dilemma. Dr. Scott N. Romaniuk elaborated on how China strives to ensure the continuous flow of energy resources and other essential goods through strategic chokepoints like the Strait of Malacca. He explained that 90% of China’s oil imports pass through this route, which poses a significant security risk. Consequently, China has shifted its naval strategy from coastal defense to deep-water operations to enhance its maritime capacities and safeguard its strategic interests.

The discussion then moved on to non-traditional security challenges, including the impacts of climate change and its global consequences. Dr. Romaniuk highlighted that rising sea temperatures directly affect fish stocks, thereby impacting local economies. In the Western Indian Ocean, fish stock depletion has led to increased illegal activities, while in the South China Sea, fishing has become more economically viable, leading to reduced illegal operations. The South China Sea is among the most militarized areas globally, reflecting the growing emphasis on geopolitical and economic interests in the region. Addressing illegal activities and non-traditional security threats requires further multilateral cooperation.

India’s role was also a prominent topic during the roundtable discussion. In response to the question about how India asserts its strategic autonomy in the Indian Ocean region, Dr. László Csicsmann explained that India has introduced a new maritime strategy in recent years to counter China’s “String of Pearls Strategy.” As part of this effort, India significantly increased its naval budget, enhanced its naval capabilities, and introduced new technologies, including U.S. drones and supersonic missiles. Additionally, India actively participates in multilateral initiatives like the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad), involving joint exercises with the United States, Australia, and Japan. For India, ensuring the security of maritime routes across the Indian Ocean, which account for 95% of its total trade, is of utmost importance.

Finally, the establishment of a new economic corridor, approved at the G20 summit, aiming to connect India, the Middle East, and Europe, represents another critical step for India. This economic cooperation and deeper integration in infrastructure development could significantly contribute to regional stability and the expansion of global trade.

Summary:

The Eurasia Roundtable provided a comprehensive overview of the global significance of maritime chokepoints in the Indo-Pacific region, with particular emphasis on their economic and security impacts. The event highlighted that these maritime routes are essential not only for regional economic growth but also for the stability and security of global trade networks. The experts’ analyses contributed to a deeper understanding of the geopolitical dynamics of the region, shedding light on conflicts of interest and cooperation between local and global actors. These processes will shape the economic and security development of the region and the world, while non-traditional security challenges, such as climate change and illegal activities, require further attention and collaboration.