327 Words Essay on Japan in India’s Strategic Perspective

Domestic developments within India have followed a similar path of attempting to shed old shibboleths. Emboldened by its rapid and sustained economic- growth story, and a new strategic partnership with the most powerful country in the world, the United States, India has shed its foreign-policy shackles of non- alignment and is slowly seeking to develop interests- based friendships and partnerships with the major powers of the world.

Japan then becomes a suitable partner for several reasons. First, an economic partnership and enhanced trade and investment ties with the second-largest economy has to be an essential component of India’s economic strategy. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has repeatedly emphasized that economic ties must be the bedrock of India’s relationship with all the major powers in the world, including Japan.

Second, India wants to integrate itself with the rest of Asia, and as it “looks east”, it has realized that it needs partners within Asia that will take up its cause. Japan has been more than happy to play that role. Without Japan’s initiative and the manifestations of the China-Japan rivalry, it is possible that India would not have been invited to participate in the East Asian Summit. For India, therefore, its relations with Japan are crucial in its quest for greater economic integration with the Asia-Pacific region.

Third, India is wary of a China that is striking strategic partnerships with its neighbors, including Pakistan and Bangladesh. A strong tie-up with Japan enables India to play China’s own game in its back yard. India also shares Japanese (and US) concerns about China as a regional hegemony in Asia, and believes that a stronger partnership between the democratic nations of Asia will exert a moderating influence over a rising China and ensure a multipolar Asia.

Finally, India’s strategic partnership with the US envisages India as a key partner in regional issues, and it is only appropriate that India and Japan, as partners of the US in Asia, develop a strong relationship.