Dr Titli Basu is Associate Fellow at the East Asia Centre. Her research interests include Japanese security, strategy and foreign policy; Japan and the Indo-Pacific; great power politics in East Asia; and India-Japan relations. Dr. Basu has published several research articles on these issues including in India Quarterly: A Journal of International Affairs, Tamkang Journal of International Affairs, The Asan Forum, East Asia Forum, Asian Journal of Public Affairs, and Indian Foreign Affairs Journal. Her current research project in MP-IDSA is on Japan’s Defence Industrial Policy Reform: Debates and Implications for International Cooperation. She completed her doctoral thesis from Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi. She was associated with the Institute of Social Science, The University of Tokyo as a Visiting Research Fellow (November 2010 to October 2011). She was a recipient of the Japan Foundation fellowship in 2010. Previously she was with the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies, Japan.
Her publications include:
India-Japan Relations: Out of the Shadow of Ukraine
Associate Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Dr. Titli Basu’s article ‘India-Japan Relations: Out of the Shadow of Ukraine’ was published in The Diplomat on March 21, 2023.
This article addresses the key question: with differing positions in New Delhi and its Quad partners on Ukraine, is Tokyo still putting a premium on the India-Japan arc?
Read Complete Article [+]
Japan's Defence Industrial Policy Reform: Debates and Implications for International Cooperation
The revised National Security Strategy makes a cogent case of Japan’s evolving character as a decisive security actor. The conversation in Tokyo demonstrates a renewed sense of urgency in the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Sino-US strategic contest, and post-pandemic mainstreaming of economic security.
Japan’s National Security Strategy is Good News for Indo-Pacific
Associate Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Dr Titli Basu’s article ‘Japan’s national security strategy is good news for Indo-Pacific’ has been published in Hindustan Times on January 9, 2023.
Monday Morning Meeting on Japan’s Domestic Discourse on Security
Executive Summary
Why the India-Japan ministerial is crucial
Associate Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Dr Titli Basu’s opinion piece ‘Why the India-Japan ministerial is crucial’ has been published in Hindustan Times on 07 September 2022.
As the defence and foreign ministers meet, one of the key lookouts includes how the revised NSS designs the China strategy? writes Dr Basu.
Read Complete Article [+]
How will India-Japan Ties Evolve after Abe?
Associate Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Dr Titli Basu’s article ‘How will India-Japan Ties Evolve after Abe? ’ was published in Hindustan Times on 27 July, 2022.
India-Japan security agenda will only get tighter as China conversation deepens between these two Asian democracies, standing up against any unilateral change in the status quo. The Defence White paper 2022 drops a hint on what’s to come in the revised National Security Strategy later this year. A compelling case for building a deeper network with India, especially within the Quad frame, is emerging, writes Dr Basu.
Abe Shinzo: A Pivotal Chapter in India-Japan Relations
Associate Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Dr Titli Basu’s article ‘Abe Shinzo: A Pivotal Chapter in India-Japan Relations’ was published in ‘The Diplomat’ on 13 July, 2022.
Culling out his vision from his political philosophy, book and other writings, successive election campaigns, and a series of historic speeches delivered over the years encapsulates a man on a definitive mission: re-engineering Japan’s status in the international system as a respected, trusted, and a strong power, writes Dr Basu.
With Abe's Assassination, Indo-Pacific lost its Foremost Flagbearer
Associate Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Dr Titli Basu’s article ‘With Abe's Assassination, Indo-Pacific lost its Foremost Flagbearer’ was published in ‘The Diplomat’ on 11 July, 2022.
Statecraft was Abe Shinzo's natural instinct. He has set high-standards for Japan’s next-generation leaders, be it in national politics or in grand strategy, writes Dr Basu.
Read Complete Article [+]
Kishida Vision for Peace: Japan’s Global Leadership Gambit
Associate Fellow Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Dr Titli Basu’s article ‘Kishida Vision for Peace: Japan’s Global Leadership Gambit’ has been published in The Diplomat on 13 June 2022.
When the rules-based order is contested, how is Japan going to respond? Tokyo’s answer is the “Kishida Vision for Peace” as articulated during the 2022 Shangri-La Dialogue. How innovative is the Kishida Vision? Examining the five pillars it is anchored on may answer the question.
Japan in India’s Northeast: The Indo-Pacific Connect
Japan is likely to play a decisive role in positioning Northeast India as a powerhouse through improved connectivity, opening up trade corridors and driving better economic integration.