A Japanese Perspective

Modi promised to make Japan the first country he would visit outside South Asia. He even arrived one day earlier than scheduled, and Abe personally welcomed him in Kyoto. Abe’s passion toward India is: 1) to strengthen the security position of Japan by making India a reliable strategic partner, restraining China, while cooperating with another Asian democracy; 2) to develop “Abenomics” together with “Modinomics”; and 3) to give India a crucial position in the history of Japan. Encircled by China, India is determined to strengthen her naval capability. It is a new hope for Japan, struggling diplomatically and economically for years. If the India–Japan Special Global Partnership could be advanced by bringing the United States, Australia, ASEAN and other countries together, the Japanese public sees regional promise beyond dangerous power politics.