China's response to the Modi-Takaichi summit in New Delhi was swift and revealing. Within hours of India and Japan unveiling a series of agreements on defence, critical minerals, artificial intelligence, energy security and economic resilience, Beijing cautioned that cooperation between countries should not target a third party or create "exclusive small groupings". On the surface, the statement appeared routine but it reflected a growing concern in Beijing that India and Japan are moving their partnership into areas that directly touch China's economic, strategic and military interests.
Beyond dozens of pacts India and Japan signed, China could be worried about foundations being laid of a new order in the Indo-Pacific and Modi-Takaichi summit being one big piece of it.
