India-Japan Relations In The Post-Cold War Era: A Strategic Analysis

The relations between India and Japan, two potential great powers, are an essential part of the security structure of great powers in Asia-Pacific region. China, a major neighbor to both of them, needs to keep a close look at the strategic interactions between Tokyo and New Delhi and be concerned about its significant strategic impacts. This dissertation attempts to make a comprehensive survey of India-Japan relations in the post-Cold War scenario and explores how the two nations perceive and recognize each other in different ways. Multiple aspects of the bilateral relationship are under an analytical scrutiny. The author argues that thanks to the readjustments of economic and diplomatic agendas in both countries since the end of the Cold War, the India-Japan relations have greatly stepped forward. Even a short period of setback caused by India's nuclear tests in 1998 has proved not to discourage both sides' endeavors to deepen their partnership in the long run. Especially with Japanese Prime Minister Koizumi's visit to India in 2005, an increasingly stronger political and strategic bond between Japan and India has emerged. An attractive future of Indo-Japanese economic and trade relations is ensured by huge potentials existing and to be tapped yet. More importantly, the meaningful cooperation in security and political areas focusing on Asia and the Indian Ocean, represented by the emerging engagements between them in military field, comes to be a proof of their shared interests in this regard. The impressive New...