India-Japan Relations
Kartavya Desk Staff
Syllabus: International Relation
Source: IE
Context: Japan’s Foreign Minister, Kamikawa Yoko, highlights the deep historical ties and democratic values shared between Japan and India. Kamikawa’s visit to India aims to strengthen the “Japan-India Special Strategic and Global Partnership” in key areas like defense, economics, people-to-people exchanges, and Women, Peace, and Security (WPS).
Key points highlighted in the visit are:
• Historical Ties: Japan and India share deep historical connections and democratic values.
• Strategic Partnership: Strengthened “Japan-India Special Strategic and Global Partnership” in defense, economy, and more.
• Defense Cooperation: Focus on security collaboration, including joint military exercises and technology sharing.
• Economic Collaboration: Progress on key projects like High-Speed Rail and investments in Green and Digital Transformation.
• People-to-People Exchanges: Expanded cultural and tourism exchanges, with events like “Japan Month” and “India Month.”
• Women, Peace, and Security (WPS): Emphasis on women’s leadership in peace initiatives and collaboration in crisis response.
• Global Cooperation: Commitment to multilateral frameworks like the Quad for a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific.
India-Japan Relations:
India-Japan | Examples
Shared Values | Democracy, Freedom, and Rule of Law
Defence and Security Cooperation | India and Japan Vision 2025: Work together for peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region and the world
Relationship elevated to Special Strategic and Global Partnership (2014)
“2+2” Dialogue
Inclusive and Rule-based International order in Indo-Pacific
FOIP (Free and Open Indo-Pacific).
Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement with India
Military exercises: Dharma Guardian (army), Veer Guardian (Air Force), MILAN, JIMEX (Navy), and Malabar
Strengthening India’s Act East Policy | Japan supports strategic connectivity linking South Asia to Southeast Asia through synergy between the “Act East” policy and “Partnership for Quality Infrastructure.”
Economic Cooperation | Japanese help during India’s Balance of Payments (BOP) crisis in 1991
Bilateral trade over US $20 billion (2022)
Japan was the 4th largest investor in India in FY2020.
Industries Competitiveness Partnership
Comprehensive and Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) since 2011
Culture | Buddhism
Healthcare | Narrative of AHWIN (Japan’s) for AYUSHMAN Bharat.
Investment and ODA | India has been the largest recipient of Japanese Official Development Assistance (ODA) Loan for decades (e.g., Delhi Metro, Western Dedicated Freight Corridor, High-Speed Railways).
Global Partnership | Both are members of G4, Asia-Africa Growth Corridor, Supply chain resilience initiatives, and QUAD.
Space | LUPEX Mission (India’s lunar lander and Japanese rover will explore the moon).
Nuclear Cooperation | India-Japan Nuclear Deal 2016 will help India build six nuclear reactors in southern India.
Digital Infrastructure Cooperation | Cooperation in promoting joint projects for digital transformation (5G, Open RAN, Telecom Network Security, submarine cable systems, Quantum Communications).
Challenges | Climate change and WTO talks (Japan siding with developed countries). Japan’s frosty relations with Russia (Kuril Island dispute).
Conclusion | Relations between two powers can greatly support stability in the world.
Japan can help in India’s rise, e.g., India’s quest to become a global semiconductor Chip Manufacturing hub.
Insta Links
70 YEARS OF INDIA-JAPAN TIES
Mains Links
The India-Japan relationship is facing challenges due to the changing global geopolitical scenario. Analyse the challenges and suggest measures to address them. (250 Words)
Prelims Links
Consider the following countries: ( UPSC 2018)
Which of the above are among the ‘free-trade partners’ of ASEAN?
(a) 1, 2, 4 and 5 (b) 3, 4, 5 and 6 (c) 1, 3, 4 and 5 (d) 2, 3, 4 and 6
Ans: C