Dr. Rupakjyoti Borah

Dr Rupakjyoti Borah is a Senior Research Fellow with the Japan Forum for Strategic Studies in Tokyo, Japan. He writes on Indian foreign policy-related issues. The views expressed are personal. Twitter @rupakj and e-mail [email protected]

Malabar 2019: Deepening US-India Defense Cooperation On Display

120413-N-UT411-2510 INDIAN OCEAN (April 13, 2012) The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) and the Indian Navy replenishment oiler INS Shakti (A57) conduct a refueling-at-sea exercise. Carl Vinson and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17 are deployed participating in the Malabar Exercise with ships and aircraft from the Indian Navy. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Apprentice Andrew K. Haller/Released), modified, https://flickr.com/photos/my_public_domain_photos/40278388203/in/photolist-24nggx2-byWDbA-26XK9aT-28kmrHa-bMRHy2-5EYzTn-byWE3N-5F3TXu-dk7VKY-hJWaaj-owv62s-hJVef6-dk7Wwh-dk7WJN-bLW42z-2dTgKFL-dk7PBK-WEc1eM-5DFc6S-Vsm6Ad-26SpBdR-byX9cu-28g6vkL-dk813L-bMRJnZ-qU6hUd-qCrimK-5FdvPT-byXce7-SQzwNY-byXeiu-bMRQRt-bwW2pN-ox4pFx-bMRzic-qDPUJQ-byWCFf-pZo7E7-qDXBKF-qDPXkG-5ExkHc-dk7R29-5FfVa3-dk7Yn9-pY6PGX-byX1MG-bMRU2F-5FbCmM-26XNFkx-qUJZap

The growing significance of the annual Malabar naval exercises is certainly a sign of the times in the Indo-Pacific region.

US-India Relations and Trump’s Backtrack on Kashmir

Howdy Modi, cc Flickr White House, modified, https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

President Trump appears to have backed off on Kashmir in order to insulate a deepening bilateral relationship with India.

Malabar 2018: Why Is It Important?

PHILIPPINE SEA (June 14, 2017) Ships from the Indian Navy, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) and the U.S. Navy sail in formation during Malabar 2018. Malabar 2018 is the 22nd rendition of the exercise and the first time it has been hosted off the coast of Guam. Malabar is designed to advance military-to-military coordination in a multinational environment between the U.S., Japan and Indian maritime forces. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Erwin Jacob V. Miciano/Released) 180615-N-VI515-648, modified

Deepening military cooperation was on display in this year’s annual Malabar exercises between India, the United States, and relative newcomer Japan.

Malabar 2017: Does India Have a Friend in the Japanese Navy?

cc Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ryan J. Batchelder, modified, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ships_from_the_Indian_navy,_Japan_Maritime_Self-Defense_Force_and_U.S._Navy_are_underway_together_during_a_group_sail_signifying_the_end_of_Malabar_2016.jpg

What do recent Malabar 2017 naval exercises mean for Japan-India maritime ties?

2017 China-India Standoff over Doklam Plateau

China India Doklam Plateau, Generated by Google Gemini AI on August 15, 2025. All flags, maps, and likenesses contained within this image are not necessarily accurate representations of reality.

Exploring the factors that led to the current Doklam plateau stand-off, and how these two Asian behemoths can resolve it.

Russia Enters the Syrian Sweepstakes

cc The Russian Presidential Press and Information Office, modified, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Vladimir_Putin_%282017-01-17%29.jpg

Russia’s recent airstrikes in Syria have led to a whole new situation on the ground in the protracted Syrian civil war, seemingly bringing further chaos in their wake.

India-Pakistan Relations in 2015: Off to a New Start?

cc raajan, modified, https://www.flickr.com/photos/13811517@N07/20649060410

In a welcome step, the chiefs of the Indian Border Security Force and its counterpart, the Pakistan Rangers, met in New Delhi over three days and the talks have been productive.

Nuclear Deal Paves Way for Renewed India-Iran Relations

Iran India Flags, Generated by Google Gemini on August 6, 2025.

The recent visit of Iranian foreign minister Javad Zarif to India signals that both countries are keen to engage each other in the aftermath of the signing of the nuclear deal between the P5+1, Iran, and the European Union.

India-South Korea Relations: New Horizons Beckon

India PM Narendra Modi

A recent visit by Prime Minister Modi highlights the boundless potential of India-South Korea relations.

Taiwan-India Relations Need an Extra Push

Generated by Google Gemini on August 5, 2025.

There are many lessons to learn from the economic success of Taiwan. As India aspires to play a bigger role on the global stage under PM Modi, giving an extra push to its ties with Taiwan, this is something that New Delhi should ponder over.

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