India and Japan

The book is the outcome of a two-year research fellowship at the Prime Minister Memorial Museum and Library, New Delhi. The emergence of new security challenges in the region demands greater and deeper cooperation between India and Japan on not only bilateral issues but also on regional and global issues so as to maintain peace and stability in the region. The sharing of Asian values between the two countries further contributes to the mutual understanding. The book offers a comprehensive evaluation of the bilateral ties between India and Japan in the historical context and connects to the significance and emergence of the robustness of the relationship in contemporary times. In particular, the book dwells on the less explored issues, such as the diaspora and the roles of both countries in developing India's Northeastern region, particularly during the long-tenured Prime Ministership of Narendra Modi and Shinzo Abe. The book attempts to cover the micro-analysis of issues either overlooked or underplayed in the past academic literature.

The complementarity and convergence of interests of both countries in the security and economic aspects are comprehensively analysed in the chapters. Providing some key recommendations the book aspires to be impactful for policy makers in defining the future directions of the relationship between the two countries.

The book is enriched by the author's several visits and stays in Japan, as close observations on the ground and interactions with Japanese academics help provide a balanced perspective on the study.

Dr. Rajaram Panda is a distinguished scholar, specializing in Japan, Northeast Asia, and Indo-Pacific issues. Dr. Panda earned his Ph.D. in 1981 from the School of International Studies at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU).