Thirteenth Global Studies Conference

Abstract

India and Japan have upgraded their cordial relations to a special strategic partnership. The deepening of this relations is particularly evident since 2014, since Modi was sworn in as the Prime Minister of India, thus leading the nation to embark on a new journey of consolidating regional influence and establishing itself as a regional power amid rise of China and regional transformations. India is very keen on furthering the special partnership with Japan, which not only allows Indian presence in regional strategic and security architecture, but also does not hinder the Indian autonomy. This paper, through the analysis of India’s Japan strategy, security and infrastructure agreements, especially since 2014, considers how India’s foreign policy towards Japan has undergone changes to allow for India’s greater role in Asia and what factors have led to these changes in India’s Japan policy. The paper argues that realist perspective of balance of power in the backdrop of the rise of China as well as constructivist perspective of India’s principle of non-alignment (despite strategic friendships), have been the base of India’s Japan policy under Modi government, to pursue and promote greater Indian presence in geo-political and geo-strategic spheres.