Sansad TV: India - Japan Ties | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

Introduction

The India-Japan bilateral summit meeting is a significant event with both leaders, Japanese PM Fumio Kishida and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, expected to discuss enhancing economic cooperation, the crisis in Ukraine, and Indo-Pacific. With a history rooted in spiritual affinity, culture, and civilization, the friendship between the two nations spans seven decades of diplomatic relations.

India-Japan Bilateral Relations:

• Within India, Japan has been a major financial donor, providing Official Development Assistance (ODA) and supporting mega infrastructure projects such as the Delhi-Mumbai Freight Corridor, Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor, Chennai-Bangalore Industrial Corridor, and the Ahmedabad-Mumbai High Speed Rail. Outside India, the Asia-Africa Growth Corridor (AAGR) initiative, announced in 2017, and joint projects in third countries like Bangladesh, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and Africa will be taken jointly.
• Defence ties are also a key aspect, with the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, a strategic dialogue between India, the United States, Japan, and Australia, and the Malabar exercise carried out on a continuous basis. Additionally, the 2+2 dialogue at the defence and foreign minister level is also a crucial aspect of the relationship.

Areas of Cooperation:

• The India-Japan bilateral relations have a wide scope of potential cooperation in various fields, such as cyber security, outer space, and economic security, to build a rules-based free and open international order.
• Their economic partnership can also further strengthen the economy of the Indo-Pacific region and the world economy. However, the trade engagement between the two nations has been below potential. The defence technology sharing and the purchase of US-2 amphibian aircraft have faced hurdles.

Challenges:

• Despite the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between India and Japan, bilateral trade has not produced the anticipated results. Japan ranks 18th on the list of countries that India exports to and 12th on the list of countries importing into India.
• India is facing challenges in penetrating the Japanese market due to language barriers, high quality and service standards. The negotiations for the purchase of amphibious US-2 planes have dragged on for years.

Way Forward

• According to experts, it would be beneficial for Japan to provide additional support to strengthen India.
• India should take advantage of Japan's expertise in medical equipment and hospitals.
• India and Japan should collaborate towards a world order that is based on rules and is inclusive.
• Efforts should be made to improve communication and connectivity to facilitate free trade, movement of people, technology and ideas for mutual prosperity.
• There should be continued cooperation between India and Japan to promote peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.