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India-Japan Relations: A Strategic Partnership in the Indo-Pacific
Context:
India and Japan share a long-standing partnership rooted in shared democratic values, economic complementarities, and a common interest in fostering regional stability and prosperity. This relationship has evolved significantly over the decades, encompassing diverse areas such as defence, trade, cultural exchange, and strategic cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.
Evolution of India-Japan Relations: Key Stages:
The Era of Strategic Reset:
- Yukio Hatoyama’s Vision (2009): Hatoyama’s “East Asian Community” vision sought regional integration. India was recognised as a natural partner, given its democratic framework and rising global profile.
- Economic Collaboration: Initiatives like the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor were launched to strengthen India’s manufacturing sector, supported by Japanese investments via JICA.
- Cautious Defence Approach: Economic ties grew robust, but Hatoyama’s administration refrained from pursuing aggressive defence collaboration, reflecting hesitancy to counter China directly.
The Era of Strategic Elevation:
- Shinzo Abe’s Transformative Leadership (2012-2020): Abe positioned India as a key partner in his Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) strategy.
- Defence: Institutionalised “2+2” dialogues and signed defence agreements for technology and equipment transfer.
- Economic Investments: Projects like the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail, funded by JICA, symbolised deep economic engagement.
- Soft Power: Initiatives such as the Year of India-Japan Friendly Exchanges (2017) strengthened people-to-people ties.
The Era of Pragmatic Continuity and Enhanced Engagement:
- Yoshihide Suga (2020-2021): Continued Abe’s FOIP vision and Quad collaboration, while supporting India during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Fumio Kishida (2021-Present): Focused on supply chain resilience, green energy, and digital partnerships. Investments worth $42 billion in critical sectors solidified economic ties.
- Future Outlook: Shigeru Ishiba’s potential focus on defence and technology collaboration could introduce new dimensions to the partnership.
India-Japan Relations:
Government-to-Government Engagement: Annual Summits since 2006, ensuring continuous dialogue at the highest levels.
Defence and Security:
- Joint Declaration on Security Cooperation (2008) established a framework for defence dialogue.
- Agreements such as the ACSA (2020) enhance logistical collaboration between armed forces.
- Participation in Malabar naval exercises underscores commitment to maritime security.
Economic Relations:
- CEPA (2011): Covers goods, services, investments, and IPR, aiming to eliminate tariffs on 94% of traded items.
- Bilateral Trade: Totalled $21.96 billion in FY 2022-23, with Japan’s FDI in India reaching $39.94 billion by 2023.
- Infrastructure Projects: High-Speed Rail and Metro Rail initiatives in major Indian cities highlight Japan’s role in India’s urban development.
- Supply Chain Resilience: India, Japan, and Australia’s SCRI (2021) aims to reduce reliance on China.
Reasons for Strong Relations and Areas of Cooperation:
- Strategic Alignment:
- Shared concerns over China’s territorial assertiveness (e.g., Senkaku Islands, Arunachal Pradesh).
- Partnership for a Free and Open Indo-Pacific, advocating inclusivity and a rules-based order.
- Economic Complementarity:
- Demographics: Japan’s ageing population aligns with India’s youthful workforce.
- Resources and Technology: India’s natural resources complement Japan’s technological prowess.
- Global Platforms:
- Cooperation in Quad, G20, G7, and G4 forums for global governance reforms.
- Joint initiatives like the Asia-Africa Economic Corridor as alternatives to China’s Belt and Road Initiative.
- Counter-Terrorism: Collaborative efforts to combat terrorism and support the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT).
- Sustainability and Green Energy: Investments in renewable energy and technology development for sustainable growth.
