Japan-India relations

The late Japanese prime minister is widely acknowledged as the driving force in closer Japan-India relations, but his India affinity has deeper roots than often acknowledged.

In 2025, India and Japan will delve deeper into defense and security ties that they diligently strengthened throughout 2024.

From perennial concerns about China to Japan's new domestic political scene, Japanese and Indian ministers will have plenty to discuss on August 20.

Three interrelated pillars – personal diplomacy, shared values, and strategic convergence – are at the center of the deepening relationship.

Military engagements between India and Japan have been on a steady growth path that mirrors the shared political and strategic goals of Delhi and Tokyo.

While India's growth figures are attractive to Japanese investors considering long-term strategies, there is a challenge in converting this interest into short-term investment plans.

Can Japan emulate its success story of Southeast Asian economic corridors in the Bay of Bengal? 

Japan’s Prime Minister Kishida is pursuing deeper cooperation with the developing world even while prepping to host a summit of advanced economies.

Three reasons why the Japanese PM’s trip was historic.

India and Japan’s shared concerns about China are a key driver of their growing relationship. 

Amid fractured global politics, Kishida’s visit to New Delhi proved how crucial India in for Japan’s Indo-Pacific strategy.

Is the Japanese PM making up for his foreign minister’s absence at the G-20, or is there more to the trip? 

The China factor has steadied the two nations' strategic partnership, despite their differences of opinion on other matters.

The India-Japan engagement has been enhanced both on the bilateral front as well as in minilateral formats such as the Quad in recent years. 

Abe’s role and legacy in transforming Japan’s role in global affairs, as well as in enhancing India-Japan ties, cannot be emphasized enough. 

India lost its most ardent advocate in Japan.

Japan has invested around $2 billion in improving infrastructure in India's Northeast, which Tokyo sees as a crucial part of its own Free and Open Indo-Pacific Vision.

Over the past decade, India has grown increasingly prominent in Japan's regional strategy.

Japanese PM Abe postponed a planned summit with Modi in Assam and Manipur, where protests are raging.

India's Northeast brings Japan's "Free and Open Indo-Pacific" strategy and India's "Act East" strategies together.

Japan's flurry of diplomacy highlights its outreach to newer, more distant partners.

Evaluating PM Abe’s sideline diplomacy and Japan’s pursuit of previously stated goals.

The focus on China has overshadowed Japan's increasing presence in the region.

India and Japan kicked off their first joint air exercise in northern India in early December.