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.

Japanese Delegation

·         Highlighting the unique stratum of India in the Indo-Pacific region in relation to its neighbouring countries, the discussion extensively focused on India’s centrality and position in the South Asian Region as it is the only country physically connected to all neighbouring nations, having a stable governance system and economy, while many others are in a meltdown condition. India holds great strategic importance particularly in the South Asian Region as being a nuclear power nation, sharing borders with other nuclear power nations. India seeks to maintain an external balance by fostering partnerships with other countries including Japan, US and actively participating in multilateral platforms.

·         Further, the discussion also delved on how security challenges are impacted globally with the development of niche and destructive nuclear technologies such as nuclear-powered undersea drones, missiles, and anti-satellite weapons and the increasing North Korean nuclear inventory, which pose a global nuclear risk.  Further, the Chinese nuclear modernisation and increase in the nuclear inventory is a challenge to arms control and non-participation of China in disarmament initiatives is further diluting this initiative globally.

·     Significance of India-Japan bilateral relations and their historical connect was emphasised. The pursuit of cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region and initiatives such as the Malabar exercise, India-Japan-Australia Supply Chain Resilience Initiative collaborating in several technological and industrial initiatives was highlighted as significant efforts in building an alternate narrative. Further, the reciprocal supply operations, staff dialogues, investments, and military exercises was underlined as a testament to their strengthened relations. The discussion highlighted the significance of global cooperation to overcome non-traditional challenges in an increasingly volatile