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 | 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
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)
- Australia
- Canada
- China
- India
- Japan
- USA
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
