PSIR daily current affairs 23^rd December 2025

Topic: Indian Japan relations

PYQs linkage:

• Evaluate the recent changes in Indo-Japan relations. 20 (2014) (Area of cooperation)
• Economic interest has emerged as the main component of India’s foreign policy. Discuss the statement in the light of India’s initiative to improve relations with China, Japan, and the Central Asian republics. 15 (2015) (Area of cooperation)
• Do you subscribe to the ideas that in the new evolving Asian dynamics, Japan and India have not only moved closer in economic cooperation but also in the strategic partnership? 15 (2017) (Area of cooperation) third party involvement (reflected in evolving Asian dynamics)

Analysis: (economic cooperation dimension is repetition from year 2015 question)

• Do you agree that growing assertiveness of China is leading to multilayered Indo-Japan relations? Comment. 15 (2018) (Area of cooperation) third party involvement
• What are the notable features of the recently concluded pact or the Acquisition and Cross-Serving agreement (ACSA) between India and Japan? How is it likely to address the security concerns of India? 15(2020) (Area of cooperation) specific agreement
• What are the main drivers of India-Japan strategic and Global partnership? 20 (2022) (Area of cooperation)

Contours of Bilateral relations:

Namaskar PSIR daily current affairs 23^rd December 2025

Topic: Indian Japan relations

PSIR daily current affairs 23^rd December 2025

Theory application: Neorealist theory and Neoliberal theory, Democratic peace theory (Republican liberalism)

• Economic interdependence: Trading states (Richard Rosecrance)
• Democratic peace theory (Michael Doyle): Three pillars:

1. Peaceful conflict resolution between democratic states
2. Common moral foundation
3. Economic cooperation

• Soft power: (Joseph Nye): The ability to influence others through attraction rather than coercion, is the means by which nations shape perceptions.

Concepts and keywords:

• Strategic partner, strategic intent, compelling and natural Indo-Pacific partners, strategic convergence, regional assertiveness, great power politics, regional power dynamics, geopolitics, soft power engagement, strategic sectors, mutual respect and tolerance, counterbalance China, working relationship with China, national security, strategic world views, Chinese Bandwagon, Chinese Unipolarity, multi-alignment,

Important facts:

• India Japan Bilateral trade is only $23 billion, heavily favoring Japan.
• India China Bilateral trade $130 billion.
• Japan Pledged to invest $68 billion.
• “Joint Declaration on Security Cooperation” between India and Japan signed during PM Modi visit to Japan in August 2025.

important quotes or statements:

Brief analysis and key points from editorial:

Drivers of strategic convergence:

Initiatives to maintain strategic partnership:

• QUAD, Malabar and MILAN exercises aim to shape the region’s geopolitics.
• Trilateral cooperation among India, Japan and third countries in South Asia and Africa to stabilize Indo-Pacific and create an alternative to various China-led projects.
• Trade in strategic sectors as top of the agenda: Critical minerals, digital transformation, supply chain resilience, clean energy, digital cooperation and space

Way forward:

• There must be a deepening of trade and investment
• India and Japan can explore “Asian Quad” on critical minerals engaging with key regional producers like Australia and Indonesia. It has immense potential to reset the global balance of power in critical minerals sector.
• Translating the ideas of “Joint Declaration on Security Cooperation” between India and Japan into tangible initiatives.

 download the document: psir current affairs December 23th 2025