China Factor in Japan India Security Cooperation

Relations between Japan and India two ancient civilisations and two vibrant democracies have been built on practice of Buddhist religion, cultural similarities and historical linkages. However, the defence and strategic complementarities that have developed in the last one decade have been because of changing regional dynamics and the lacklustre performance of the regional security organisations. References has been made that the China factor plays prominently in the development of the relationship which is one of the main factor but not the only factor in the ties. The rise of China and its effect on the bilateral relationship between India and Japan need to be evaluated from a rational perspective. India and Japan have explored new complementarities given the increasing liberalised trade and investment between the two countries and the need for Japan to diversify its investment and trade portfolio. The cause for security cooperation between the two is to maintain balance of power in the region and create adequate cooperative measures so that China enmeshes itself into regional security obligations without structurally changing the status quo both in the Indian Ocean, South China Sea and East China Sea. This article addresses the evolving power matrix from the point of view of Japan and how it strengthens security cooperation with India for a peaceful and stable region.