India-Japan Maritime Relations: Impact of China s Growing Presence in Indo Pacific

Twenty-first-century international politics is radically different from what it used to be in the Cold War era and the immediate Post-Cold War era. The present world is witnessing a growing presence of China in the Indo-Pacific. This has led to various bilateral and multilateral endeavors in the region with an objective to contain China. As two strategic partners, Japan and India share common interests and concerns in the region. The article argues that a common threat perception, the increasing military and economic presence of China, has led to deeper maritime cooperation between India and Japan. China has played an influential role in their journey from Asian Acquaintances to Asian Amigos.

Keywords:
India, Japan, Indo-Pacific, China instead