South Asia and Beyond

Japan’s $42 Billion Bet: Ukraine Matters, India More So

Surya Gangadharan
March 21, 2022
4 minutes read

NEW DELHI: Ahead of Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s visit, the announcement from Tokyo of a $42 billion low interest loan commitment to India sparked some speculation. It was combined with Kishida’s publicly voiced intention, when he met Narendra Modi, to encourage a unified approach on Ukraine. Kishida was quoted as saying: “Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine coincides with this trip, I’d like to emphasize the importance of international unity …” Was Kishida’s loan a carrot to get India onto the U.S.-led bandwagon opposing the Russian invasion of Ukraine? If that was indeed the case, there is no indication of India succumbing....Read More

Surya Gangadharan

Thirty eight years in journalism, widely travelled, history buff with a preference for Old Monk Rum. Current interest/focus spans China, Technology and Trade. Recent reads: Steven Colls Directorate S and Alexander Frater's Chasing the Monsoon. Netflix/Prime video junkie. Loves animal videos on Facebook. Reluctant tweeter.