Last month, YCAPS welcomed Dr. Saroj Kumar Rath (University of Delhi) to Tokyo for a series of discussions and events focused on the evolving Japan–India partnership. His visit, together with a timely hybrid webinar later in the week, created space for open, substantive conversations on how Japan and India are navigating a changing Indo-Pacific environment.
The week opened with a public seminar co-hosted with Kreab Tokyo, titled “Japan–India Relations: Building a Partnership for the 21st Century in the Indo-Pacific.” The discussion featured Dr. Saroj Kumar Rath, CAPT Dr. Yuki Bito, Dr. Stephen R. Nagy, and Dr. Satoru Nagao, and was moderated by YCAPS Executive Director John F. Bradford. Bringing together scholars and practitioners, the session examined how Tokyo and New Delhi are deepening cooperation while navigating growing regional uncertainty. Speakers emphasized that Japan–India ties are not automatic, but the result of sustained political will, complementary strengths, and a shared commitment to a rules-based order.
Dr. Rath added important historical depth to the conversation, tracing the partnership beyond contemporary strategy and situating it within longer-standing intellectual and political connections. His perspective helped contextualize current cooperation on maritime security, diplomacy, and regional governance, while also underscoring why the relationship has continued to mature over time.
Alongside public events, Dr. Rath participated in smaller, off-the-record meetings in Tokyo, allowing for candid exchanges on practical cooperation and future challenges.
The week concluded with a hybrid seminar featuring Dr. Stephen Nagy and Dr. László Csicsman, with commentary from Dr. Rath and Dr. Yoichiro Sato. The discussion explored how Japan and India have combined hard and soft balancing strategies since the late 2000s, using diplomatic, economic, and security tools to promote a more multipolar Indo-Pacific while maintaining strategic flexibility.
Together, these engagements reflected YCAPS’s ongoing commitment to fostering thoughtful, policy-relevant dialogue on key Indo-Pacific relationships—and to creating space for nuanced discussion beyond headlines. The conversations throughout the week benefited greatly from the depth, openness, and generosity of the participants. YCAPS extends its sincere thanks to Dr. Saroj Kumar Rath and Dr. László Csicsman for sharing their expertise and perspectives, and to all speakers, partners, and attendees who contributed to a productive and engaging exchange.