2nd India-Japan 2+2 Dialogue | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

Introduction

• Top officials from India and Japan held their second 2+2 ministerial dialogue in Tokyo, where Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar joined their Japanese counterparts, Minister of Defence Yasukazu Hamada and Minister of Foreign Affairs Yoshimasa Hayashi. The ministers assessed the current bilateral cooperation across various domains and explored ways to deepen the Indo-Japan relationship, which is currently based on a special strategic and global partnership. 
• During the visit, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also had separate bilateral discussions with Japanese Defence Minister Yasukazu Hamada, where they both acknowledged the significance of the defence partnership between India and Japan. They emphasized its crucial role in promoting a free, open, and rules-based Indo-Pacific region, and committed to further promoting defence cooperation and exchanges, as part of their efforts to strengthen the Japan-India Special Strategic and Global Partnership.

2+2 Dialogue

• India and Japan had previously held a secretary-level 2+2 dialogue, but in 2019, they established a mechanism for the 2+2 dialogue between their Defence and Foreign Ministers. This was intended to provide greater political impetus to the existing diplomatic, security, and defence cooperation between the two countries.
• Both sides are confident that the 2+2 dialogue will further enhance the special strategic partnership between India and Japan. India had previously only held a 2+2 dialogue with the US. The India-Japan 2+2 dialogue is a testament to their special strategic partnership, and only the second such dialogue format India has established with any country, after the US.
• The dialogue is driven by a mutual desire to shape a multipolar Indo-Pacific region that is free, open, and inclusive, rather than being dominated by any one country. Both India and Japan believe in an inclusive approach, while they see China's approach in the region as exclusive.
• The 2+2 dialogue idea was first proposed during the summit meeting between Modi and Abe in Tokyo in 2018, and the joint statement issued after the summit recognized the need for such a dialogue. This dialogue is in addition to existing strategic dialogue formats such as the Annual Defense Ministerial Dialogue, Defense Policy Dialogue, and the National Security Advisers' Dialogue.
• India and Japan have been holding similar, but lower-level, dialogues for almost a decade, such as the 2+2 foreign and defence dialogue led by secretary-level officials from 2010. This dialogue was established based on the Action Plan to Advance Security Cooperation that the two countries agreed on in December 2009. 

Potential areas of development

• Collaboration in various fields like cybersecurity, outer space, and economic security can lead to the establishment of a free and open international order governed by rules. The Indo-Pacific and global economy can also benefit from our economic partnership.
• However, despite the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between India and Japan, bilateral trade has not lived up to expectations. Although the total volume of trade was $18.43 billion in 2011-12, it declined to $13.48 billion in 2016-17.
• Defense technology sharing remains a contentious issue, and the US-2 amphibian aircraft deal has been put on hold. Furthermore, India and Japan have divergent interests regarding the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, and both countries lack a specific China policy.
• It is essential for India and Japan to strengthen their naval capabilities vis-à-vis China and expedite the completion of pending projects in the Indian Ocean and Pacific Ocean, respectively.

Conclusion

• The ministerial level 2+2 strategic dialogue between India and Japan is a significant initiative that highlights their mutual interest in strengthening their security and strategic cooperation. 
• Over the past decade, the two nations have developed a robust strategic partnership, which was easier to establish due to the absence of any prior conflicts or complications. However, to balance China effectively, India and Japan need to build a broader coalition with other nations.