Analysis India Finds Common Ground with Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan to Counter Aggressive China

Over the past decade, India has solidified its position as a leading power in the global arena, particularly in East Asia.

Led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government, India's strategic engagement with the region has seen remarkable progress, driven by a combination of domestic growth, a shifting global landscape, and increasing multipolarity.

India-Japan: A Special Strategic Partnership​

The India-Japan relationship stands as a pillar of peace, security, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region. Japan is India's second-largest trading partner in East Asia, and the two countries collaborate extensively on multilateral platforms like the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD) and the G20.

Key initiatives include:

• Japan-India Comprehensive Industrial Partnership: Aimed at boosting industrial cooperation and investment.
• India-Japan Digital Partnership and Start-Up Hubs: Fostering innovation and technological collaboration.
• Japan-India Clean Energy Partnership (JICEP): Addressing climate change and promoting sustainable energy solutions.
• Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA): Enhancing defense cooperation and interoperability.

Japan's "Free and Open Indo-Pacific" vision aligns closely with India's Indo-Pacific Ocean Initiative (IPOI), underscoring their shared commitment to a rules-based order and regional stability.

Recent high-level meetings between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prime Minister Fumio Kishida have reinforced this strategic alignment.

India-South Korea: A Special Strategic Partnership Driven by Shared Concerns​

India's relations with South Korea have gained momentum, fueled by shared concerns over maritime security in the South China Sea and the wider Indo-Pacific region.

The two countries upgraded their relationship to a "Special Strategic Partnership" in 2015, with both pursuing policies that complement each other's strategic goals.

Key developments include:

• Convergence of Act East Policy (AEP) and New Southern Policy: Promoting economic and strategic cooperation.
• Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) expansion: Expected to be finalized in 2024, further boosting bilateral trade.
• Alignment on Indo-Pacific strategy: South Korea's recent endorsement of the Indo-Pacific strategy under President Yoon Suk Yeol removes a significant hurdle to deeper strategic cooperation.

India-Taiwan: A Growing Relationship Amidst Complexities​

India's engagement with Taiwan has deepened in recent years, driven by the deteriorating relationship between India and China, as well as growing tensions between the US and China. While India maintains its "One China Policy," it has steadily increased commercial and military ties with Taiwan.

Notable aspects include:

• Convergence of Act East Policy (AEP) and New Southbound Policy (NSP): Creating opportunities for economic cooperation and investment.
• Upgraded Bilateral Investment Agreement: Signed in 2018, further facilitating economic ties.

However, the India-Taiwan relationship faces constraints due to the absence of a formal free trade agreement (FTA), India's adherence to the "One China Policy," and Taiwan's limited participation in multilateral organizations. The China factor remains a significant influence on the pace and depth of cooperation between India and Taiwan.

The Road Ahead​

India's relations with Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan are set to evolve further in the coming years, shaped by a complex interplay of factors:

• Continued diplomatic outreach: India will likely maintain its active engagement with these countries through bilateral and multilateral platforms.
• Evolving strategic environment: The ongoing rivalry between the US and China, as well as regional security concerns, will continue to influence India's foreign policy choices.
• Threat perceptions towards China: The degree to which these countries perceive China as a threat will shape their willingness to cooperate with India on security and strategic issues.

While the trajectories of India's relations with these three East Asian countries may differ, their continued growth is expected to contribute significantly to India's rise as a major player in the Indo-Pacific region and the global stage.