A Timely Tome on Indian Bilateral Relations with Japan

There are very few books on Indian bilateral relations with Japan, and this work, edited by Harsh Pant and Madhuchanda Ghosh, is to be warmly welcomed.

- Krishnan Srinivasan

As the contributors put it, "the bilateral relationship has been soaring high," a "remarkable turnround" from the acrimony arising from India's nuclear weapon tests, and "increasingly positive views" of India in Japan, which mirrors the improved relations between India and the USA. The two editors co-author the introduction; and while Ghosh contributes her own chapter, Pant writes one with a co-author. Eight chapters are by Indians and five are by Japanese.

Reference is made to Premier Shinzo Abe's Indophile approach, the now regular meetings at high level, mutual access to naval facilities, and shared strategic concerns like access to sea routes for import of Middle East oil, all of which justify the view that "A strong India is in Japan's best interest."

A comprehensive recital of diverse bilateral ties is given, though the outcomes of some Japanese initiatives like connectivity in India's Northeast, Japanese Industrial Townships, the Asia Africa Growth Corridor, environmental safeguards, maritime security, defense technology, and female empowerment are not adduced. The freight corridor and high-speed train projects are abnormally delayed by the Indian side. Our support for Japan and Germany for UNSC permanent membership is now, after the Ukraine war, even more likely to be vetoed by China and Russia than it was when this book was published.