They key issues between China and Japan are Taiwan Issue, Senkaku Islands, Japanese-American security co-operation, Issue of war reparations and issue of the Japanese chemical weapons discarded in China. There are no military conflicts but some of the major issues such as Senkaku Islands may lead to a military conflict, but, possibilities are distant. However, there are definitive signs of increasing commercial rivalry between the two countries and India is in a definite position to take advantage of this. India can not only take advantage of both sides but also can reap the benefits of commercial competition between the two countries. For example, Tokyo-Beijing competition should work in India’s advantage in high-speed railways sector. Strategically, there cannot be symmetry between India’s relations with China and Japan. The growing naval (string of pearls) and military capabilities of China pose difficult challenges to India; but India can increase its security cooperation with Tokyo, which might help reduce India’s expanding power gap with India. (160 words)
Some more points:
- Strategically, Japan’s stature in the Asian continent has been quite high especially after the military alliance with US. This has however been considerably undermined due to the rise of Chinese military prowess and the flaring up of South China Sea dispute.
- Tokyo is now trying to secure its position in the region by pushing more security alignments. It has developed stronger ties with Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Australia and India.
- China has taken serious view of the new aggressive policies of Abe and has accused Japan of trying to turn the post-War order in Asia, detrimental to its interests. Rise of Modi in India is also being seen in positive light as the foreign nations expect responsible decisions from him which will help foster regional balances and ties.
- Individually both Japan and China have contributed tremendously in the regional growth on all fronts. Modi has to keep a neutral stance which has been India’s strongest weapon in times of the 2 deadly wars which had ripped the world apart.