Publication

The brief argues that Shinzo Abe's return to power in Japan is less of a boon for India than expected. It would be an exaggeration to say that Abe's election is bad news since India can take comfort in the coming to power of a pro-Indian Japanese leadership, but the foreign policy of Abe could be an impediment to further cooperation between the countries as India has to consider the China factor, argues the author. Against this backdrop, India will have to closely monitor Abe's declarations, especially at the beginning of his tenure, and be careful not to let this partnership solidify into a bilateral or tri-lateral alliance openly directed against China.