Tokyo, Nov. 14 – A new report says that Japan and India can keep the Indo‑Pacific region open, stable, and secure by working together on practical projects.
The two countries see the Indo‑Pacific as a single, interconnected space that stretches from Africa’s east coast to the western Pacific. They agree that freedom of navigation, respect for international law, and an inclusive approach should guide their actions in the area.
The report, written for Japan Forward by Visiting Professor Pema Gyalpo of Takushoku University, points out that Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi repeatedly stated that a “free and open Indo‑Pacific” is the core of Japan’s foreign and security strategy. The article notes that Japanese media has rarely highlighted this pledge—or its relevance to India—because of possible backlash from rival neighbours.
According to Gyalpo, Japan’s former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe once called the Indo‑Pacific the strategic heart of the 21st century. In that context, Japan and India have emerged as two democracies that want to build a rules‑based regional order. They share the same visions under Japan’s FOIP (Free and Open Indo‑Pacific) and India’s IPOI (Indo‑Pacific Ocean Initiative). But the real test is turning words into action. Their partnership has already become a key pillar of regional stability, yet the report says it still needs deeper institutions and longer‑term plans.
India sees Japan as a democratic counterweight and a bridge to the western Indo‑Pacific. For Japan, India offers a technologically advanced partner and access to Pacific maritime networks, fitting neatly with India’s central focus on the Indian Ocean. Together, the two nations can demonstrate how middle‑power cooperation in economics and security can protect sovereignty while fostering growth.
The report calls for concrete steps:
- Joint investment in critical sectors
- Shared defence production and technology exchange
- Establishing common digital standards
- Coordinated maritime patrols and joint exercises
If Japan and India can move from ideas to these capabilities, they will set a strong example for other nations in the Indo‑Pacific. A tighter, more together partnership promises a more open, free, and secure sea lanes for all of the region’s peoples.
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