Dear Colleagues,

I invite you to the first lecture of 2012 in our Academic Lecture Series at Graduate School of Asia-Pacific Studies (GSAPS), Waseda University.

ACADEMIC LECTURE SERIES

DR. RUPAKJYOTI BORAH,
Visiting Research FellowThe Japan Institute of International Affairs (JIIA), Assistant Professor in International Relations, School of Liberal Studies, Pandit Deendayal Petroleum University, Gujarat, India

"Japan and India in the Emerging Asian Order"

ABSTRACT. The ties between Japan and India go back to the days when Buddhism made inroads into Japan from India in the 6th century A.D. However, the two countries were rather wary of each other in the period after the end of World War II as Japan became an American ally and India on the other hand inched closer to the erstwhile Soviet Union. It was the end of the Cold War and India's economic liberalization that finally led the two nations to "re-discover" each other.

India's economic progress, the "Look-East Policy" and its rapidly developing military might has led to a change in its bilateral relations with Japan, though the two countries are not yet on the same page on some issues, especially with regards to India's nuclear programme. India's "Look-East Policy" was designed to reinvigorate its with the Southeast Asian and East Asian countries as throughout the annals of its history, India has had deep cultural, economic, and political ties with these countries. India's improving ties with the United States and other Asian countries has given a fillip to its bilateral ties with Japan.
Common concerns about China have also brought the two countries closer. India plays a key role in ensuring the security of the sea-lanes of communication in the Indian Ocean region through which Japan's crucial energy imports pass.

This lecture will analyze the relations between Japan and India in the wake of the changing Asian order with the rise of China and India and the 'return' of the US to Asia. It will elucidate the areas of convergence and divergence between India and Japan, especially on issues related to Asia. It will analyse how Japan and India can cooperate in countries like Myanmar and Afghanistan where they have shared interests. Besides, it will highlight the prospects for cooperation between India and Japan in areas like counter-terrorism, maritime security, disaster management, energy security and the fight against piracy.

4:00PM, March 12, 2012 (Monday)
Waseda University, Graduate School for Asia-Pacific Studies Room 712, 7th Floor, Nishiwaseda Building

Best regards,

Andre Asplund (PhD Candidate)
Graduate School of Asia-Pacific Studies
Waseda University