On 12 Dec 2023, the Centre for Strategic Studies and
Simulation (CS3), United Service Institution (USI) of India organised a Round
Table Discussion with the National Institute for Defence Studies (NIDS), Japan.
The Japanese delegation was headed by Prof Masayuki Masuda,
Head, Asia and Africa Division, NIDS. The
topic of discussion was ‘Indian and Japanese Perspectives on Geopolitics in the
Indo-Pacific Region’. The welcome remarks were delivered by Maj Gen RPS
Bhadauria, VSM (Retd), Director CS3. The first session commenced with a brief
presentation on the relations between the ‘US-China Strategic Competition and
Geopolitics in the Indo-Pacific Region’ and speakers for this session were Vice Adm AK Chawla, PVSM, AVSM, VSM, NM, PhD (Retd) who highlighted the Indian perspective and Prof Masayuki Masuda who provided a look
into the Japanese perspective. The second session delved into ‘South Asian
Regional Politics’ discussed by Maj Gen RPS
Bhadauria, VSM (Retd) and Dr Roshan Khanijo, Assistant Director (Research), CS3, USI highlighted the ‘Nuclear Dynamics in the Evolving
Geo-political Environment’. The third session
delved into ‘India-Japan Relations’ and the speakers for this session were Amb
Yogendra Kumar, IFS (Retd), who provided the Indian perspective and Dr Masahiro
Kurita, Senior Fellow, Policy Simulation Division, NIDS, who gave the Japanese
perspective. The session was followed by an interactive question and answer
round. The concluding remarks were given by Maj Gen RPS
Bhadauria, VSM (Retd). Serving and retired military officers and research
scholars attended the discussion.
Welcome Remarks by Maj Gen RPS Bhadauria, VSM (Retd)
Key Takeaways:
·
The discussion highlighted the geostrategic importance of the
Indo-Pacific, emphasising its centrality and the dynamic nature. It delved into
the historical evolution of China's ' Grand Strategy,' particularly its
maritime and Indo-Pacific security focus, to
reinstate China as an eminent global power. Further, the Indian position in
correspondence to these evolving politics was emphasised, aiming for a free, open, inclusive,
peaceful, and prosperous Indo-Pacific, along with the vision of ‘Security and
Growth for All in the Region’. The discussion also underscored the importance
of concerted actions with like-minded democracies, plurilateral platforms like Quadrilateral
Security Dialogue, and initiatives such as The Trilateral Security Partnership
Between Australia, UK and US, through which India seeks to build an alternate
narrative in the Indian Ocean Region.
·
The discussion further stressed on the
Japanese perspective of strengthening defence capabilities and continued
security cooperation with global and Indo-Pacific nations. The importance of
multilateral cooperation was highlighted in the light of, a hostile environment
stemming from China’s aggressive behavior. Further, it was stated that Japan-US
relations, need to be strengthened as also the security relations between Japan and Australia
through initiatives such as the Reciprocal Access Agreement, etc.