India Japan relations

Under Abe’s government, Japan’s ties with India expanded beyond economic relations to include nuclear and security cooperation too.

In addition to India-Japan exercises, there have been several other naval exercises in the region in recent months involving a growing roster of countries.

Weeks after scrapping a deal with India and Japan, Sri Lanka says the pair can develop a different new terminal at Colombo Port.

Both Tokyo and New Delhi share common concerns about China – including on cyberspace.

The conclusion of the ACSA is another milestone in a nearly two decade-long process of strategic convergence.

The longstanding India-Japan partnership is a crucial pillar for the Free and Open Indo-Pacific vision.

The dialogue has wider strategic implications beyond the bilateral relationship itself.

What do the evolving joint exercises between India and Japan tell us about their relationship?

While the impetus for closer alignment is clear, much work remains to be done on the security side and within the wider bilateral relationship.

Japan and India’s differences might just be what makes this unlikely partnership effective.

The new mechanism holds significance not only within bilateral ties, but for Indian foreign policy and the region more generally.