India and Japan: A Natural Partnership in the Indo-Pacific

The Indo-Pacific has emerged as a new theatre of strategic and economic competition in the twenty-first century. With the rise of China and the decline of US influence in Asia, India-Japan relations and foreign policies have also been undergoing a significant transformation. This volume critically assesses India-Japan relations with a particular focus on the growing power shift in the Indo-Pacific region. It brings together a diverse group of scholars and analysts from both countries who examine aspects of bilateral relations, partnerships at the regional level, obstacles in the way of fully cementing these ties, and the concrete policies that both countries can undertake for a comprehensive development of India-Japan relations. In two distinct parts, the volume presents both Indian and Japanese perspectives The first part explores how Japan has assumed key importance in India's Act East Policy, which appears to converge with Japan's 'Free and Open Indo-Pacific', as they share the goal of a rules-based order. It studies India and Japan's strategic engagement with the US, and India's role as a 'resident power' in the Indian Ocean Region. The Japanese perspective explores the geopolitical and geoeconomic forces shaping Indo-Japan relations and the implications of this expanding engagement. It also examines India's emerging economic partnership with Japan. These contemporary strategic and economic issues are discussed with a focus on not only the bilateral but also the regional aspects.