India and Japan are like potential sweethearts, interested but hesitant because of differences of approach. More efforts are required to upgrade Japan-India relations to its potential. — Ms Yoriko Kawaguchi, Special Assistant to the PM of Japan and Former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Japan

After the Pokharan II heartburns, the sweethearts have made up and, moving from there, have struck an entente cordiale that should see them ride the future roughshod. Indian and Japan, in the changed global situation, have realized they complement each other and with their shared understanding can stand up together to edge off the global odds that are sending out the ominous message: swim together or sink. The good thing about the relationship is that there are no unresolved historical irritants, no border or boundary disputes, no major clashing interests, which allows them to carry out business as business. Politically and economically, too, the two are stably configured to serve in the long term each other’s interests.