I think the author is very mistaken about a lot of points. We don't have any border issues with any European country either, which doesn't mean they could be best friends for India now. Nor haven't the relations to Japan improved in the last years, because of Japan, but because of the US that urged their allies (Japan, Australia, Canada...) to deeper relations with us. That however also shows the limitations of relations of us with Japan, because they are dependent on the US and their policies and are not free to help us in difficult situations, be it politically or in defence relations, unlike Russia, Israel, or France could do it. The Japanese laws makes it even more difficult for us to at least procure defence materials, so all in all the relations with Japan are by far not as important for India as the autor thinks. Economically, or politically wrt to Asia it might have some benefits, but that's it!
Even wrt to a permanent UN seat, Japan is actually a burden for us than a help, since they are an Asian country as we are and adding 2 Asian countries will be difficult, unless a real reform will come.
