05 May India-Japan Perennial Bilateral Relationship
This article covers “Daily Current Affairs” and the Topic India-Japan Perennial Bilateral Relationship.
SYLLABUS MAPPING:
GS-3- International Relations- India-Japan Perennial Bilateral Relationship
FOR PRELIMS
What are the main ways India and Japan work together?
FOR MAINS
What problems do India and Japan need to solve together?
Why in the News?
India and Japan have deepened their strategic partnership with the co-production of “Unicorn Masts” naval technology, marking their first joint defence manufacturing initiative. This reflects Japan’s gradual easing of constitutional restrictions and opens avenues for wider collaboration in submarines, fighter jets, and cyber defence. Prime Minister Modi’s upcoming visit to Japan in 2025 is expected to focus on strengthening defence, economic, and technological cooperation. While Japan remains a key investor in Indian infrastructure and the two nations engage actively through QUAD and joint military exercises, high-tech and defence ties have lagged. Challenges such as trade imbalance, project delays, and limited and people-to-people relations persist. However, the recent defence breakthrough signals a maturing partnership aligned with a shared vision for a free, open, and secure Indo-Pacific.
India and Japan’s ties evolution
India and Japan Cooperation Areas
1. Defence & Security: Joint exercises (JIMEX, Dharma Guardian, MILAN), 2+2 dialogues, ACSA agreement, and shared Indo-Pacific vision.
2. Economic & Trade: CEPA (2011), major Japanese FDI, industrial competitiveness, and startup collaboration.
3. Infrastructure: Projects like the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train and the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor, with Japanese funding and expertise.
4. Science & Technology: Cooperation in AI, semiconductors, quantum tech, and joint space missions (e.g., ISRO-JAXA lunar mission).
5. Clean Energy & Climate: Partnership on green hydrogen, renewables, electric mobility, and carbon neutrality goals.
6. Skill Development: TITP and SSW programs, language training, and workforce exchange.
7. Cultural & People-to-People Ties: Shared Buddhist heritage, academic exchanges, and growing youth engagement.
8. Regional Connectivity & Strategic Cooperation: Support for Indo-Pacific stability, regional infrastructure, and multilateral frameworks like the Quad.
Japan as a perennial friend of India
1. Strategic Partner in the Indo-Pacific: Japan is a like-minded partner in ensuring a Free, Open, and Inclusive Indo-Pacific, balancing regional power dynamics and ensuring maritime security.
2. Reliable Defence Collaborator: Japan is strengthening India’s defence capabilities through joint military exercises, defence dialogues, and co-production initiatives like the Unicorn Masts.
3. Key Source of Infrastructure Financing: Through JICA, Japan funds major projects including bullet trains, metro systems, and industrial corridors, transforming India’s infrastructure landscape.
4. Top Foreign Investor: Japan is among the top 5 investors in India, boosting manufacturing, innovation, and employment, especially through the Make in India initiative.
5. Technology and Innovation Support: Japan helps India advance in critical tech areas like AI, robotics, semiconductors, green hydrogen, and digital public infrastructure.
6. Energy and Climate Cooperation: Japan is a vital partner in India’s clean energy transition, supporting green growth, electric mobility, and carbon neutrality goals.
7. Skill Development and Workforce Mobility: Programs like TITP and SSW offer Indian youth skill training and employment in Japan, enhancing human capital and bilateral ties.
8. Cultural and Civilizational Bond: Centuries-old Buddhist and spiritual links reinforce goodwill and people-to-people trust, enriching soft power diplomacy.
9. Global Governance Collaboration: India and Japan jointly advocate for UN Security Council reforms, equitable global order, and rule-based multilateralism through platforms like G4, QUAD, and G20.
India and Japan’s partnership concerns areas
1. Underwhelming Defence Cooperation: Despite shared security interests, defence trade and technology transfer remain limited compared to potential.
2. Slow Progress in High-Tech Collaboration: Cooperation in advanced technologies like semiconductors, robotics, and AI is still in its early stages and needs acceleration.
3. Trade Imbalance: India’s trade deficit with Japan continues, with limited access for Indian agricultural and pharma exports to the Japanese market.
4. Low Utilisation of CEPA: The 2011 Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) has not been fully leveraged due to non-tariff barriers and regulatory challenges.
5. Delays in Infrastructure Implementation: Japanese-funded infrastructure projects in India often face land acquisition issues, bureaucratic delays, and cost overruns.
6. Limited People-to-People Ties: Low tourism, restricted visa access, and fewer Indian professionals in Japan have slowed cultural and social integration.
7. Language and Cultural Barriers: Language differences hinder deeper cooperation in business, education, and skill exchange programs.
8. Lack of Collaboration in Multilateral Innovation Platforms: Joint R&D, university collaboration, and tech-startup linkages remain limited despite mutual interest in innovation.
Way to strengthen the partnership
1. Deepen Defence & Security Ties: Expand joint production beyond Unicorn Masts to include submarines, drones, and cyber defence; enhance interoperability through more frequent tri-service exercises.
2. Revamp CEPA for Balanced Trade: Review and modernise the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) to reduce non-tariff barriers and boost Indian exports (e.g. pharma, agri-products).
3. Accelerate High-Tech Collaboration: Establish joint innovation hubs in semiconductors, AI, green hydrogen, quantum tech, and robotics; promote co-investment in R&D and start-ups.
4. Fast-Track Infrastructure Projects: Create a joint task force to monitor and fast-track JICA-funded projects, ensuring timely land acquisition, clearances, and coordination.
5. Boost Skill Mobility and Language Training: Expand TITP and SSW programs with Japanese language training centres in India to bridge employment and cultural gaps.
6. Enhance People-to-People Connectivity: Promote tourism, academic exchanges, scholarships, and cultural events to increase mutual familiarity and goodwill.
7. Strengthen Multilateral Coordination: Continue close collaboration in QUAD, G20, G4 (UNSC reforms), and Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) for global and regional stability.
8. Leverage Soft Power Diplomacy: Harness shared Buddhist heritage, yoga, cuisine, cinema, and anime collaborations to deepen public engagement and cultural ties.
Conclusion
India and Japan share a robust and time-tested partnership rooted in mutual respect, shared democratic values, and a vision for a free, open, and rules-based Indo-Pacific. While the relationship has witnessed notable growth in defence, infrastructure, and economic cooperation, key areas like high-tech collaboration and people-to-people engagement remain underleveraged. The recent breakthrough in co-production of defence equipment signals a new era of strategic alignment. To unlock the full potential of this partnership, both nations must focus on removing trade barriers, fast-tracking joint projects, and deepening cultural and technological collaboration. With sustained political will and mutual commitment, India and Japan can emerge as pivotal pillars of peace, prosperity, and stability in the Indo-Pacific and beyond.
Prelims Questions
Q. With reference to India-Japan relations, consider the following statements:
1. India and Japan signed the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) in 2014.
2. The Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA) between the two countries facilitates mutual logistics support between their armed forces.
3. Japan is a member of the Quad and collaborates with India on the Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) initiative.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: B
Mains Questions
Q. “India and Japan share a Special Strategic and Global Partnership shaped by shared democratic values and a common vision for the Indo-Pacific. However, there remain underutilised areas in this relationship.”
(250 words, 15 marks)
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