An Asian Triangle: India's Relationship With China and Japan

Many studies of Asia's future have focused on the shifting power relationships in the region, particularly between China, Japan, and India. A prominent part of this debate is India's rise and potential role as a balancer in the evolving strategic relationships in the region. This article examines India's relations with these two Asian powers and argues that India is unlikely to play the role of balancer unless relations between China and Japan deteriorate significantly. Instead, India may be well situated to act as a stabilizer, not only between China and Japan but also between the United States and China, should tension escalate in the region.