The proposal from the Japanese think tank underscores growing regional concerns regarding China’s assertive behavior in Asia-Pacific regions like the South China Sea. Collaborating on long-range strategic missiles could enhance deterrence capabilities for both nations while decreasing reliance on external powers like the United States-especially relevant given recent geopolitical uncertainties surrounding U.S.-Asia alliances.
For India, such collaboration ties into its broader defense goals amid ongoing disputes with China over border areas like Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh. If pursued seriously, this partnership could integrate complementary technological strengths-Japan’s engineering precision coupled with India’s efficient missile production methods-to create impactful defense solutions at lower costs.
Lastly, any joint effort would require careful diplomatic maneuvering by both nations given China’s sensitivities around region-wide coalitions directed against it. The strategic implications signal increased alignment between democratic powers aiming for regional stability-notably within an evolving Indo-Pacific framework.