INTRODUCTION
Japan and India are Asia’s two great democracies and have a pivotal role to play in Asia’s emerging power structure. PM Shinzo Abe in 2007 described this partnership as the ‘confluence of two seas.’[1] In Dec 2015, both resolved to transform the Special Strategic and Global Partnership into a deep, broad-based and action-oriented partnership, reflecting convergence of their long-term political, economic and strategic goals in the 44 paragraphed ‘Joint Statement on India and Japan Vision 2025 : Special Strategic and Global Partnership Working Together for Peace and Prosperity of the Indo-Pacific Region and the World.’[2]
DEFENCE COOPERATION
The focus is precipitated by China’s growing assertion, rapid military modernization; arms buildup, hegemonic ambitions and its unpredictable, non-transparent stances on issues such as the South China Sea, maritime security and territorial disputes. It is widely acknowledged that China is driving Asia’s second and third biggest military spenders closer.[3]
Agreements. The Agreements concerning the Transfer of Defence Equipment and Technology and the Agreement concerning Security Measures for the Protection of Classified Military Information to strengthen the strategic ties are right step. Potential future projects on defence equipment and technology cooperation such as US-2 amphibian aircraft are on the cards.
Exercises and Dialogues. India welcomes Japan’s participation in the India-US Malabar Exercises to deal with maritime challenges in the Indo-Pacific region. Both desire to further exchanges, through the ‘2+2 Dialogue’, Defence Policy Dialogue, Military-to-Military Talks and Coast Guard to Coast Guard cooperation. A new step in this direction is the Air Force to Air Force staff Talks. The Japan-India-U.S Trilateral Dialogue among the Foreign Ministers and the Japan-India-Australia trilateral mechanisms contribute to security architecture in the Indo-Pacific region.
JAPAN’S SUPPORT FOR INDIA
Close cooperation between Japan and India will have far reaching effects:-
- Strengthening the East Asia Summit to enhance dialogue on political and security issues, especially with ASEAN.
- Permanent membership in an expanded UN Security Council.
- Japan’s support to India’s membership of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC).
- Japan’s commitment to work for India to become a full member in the four international export control regimes: NSG, MTCR, Wassenaar Arrangement and Australia Group.
CONCLUSION
Vision 2025 is a major step. As Tokyo prepares to host the second Olympics in 2020, New Delhi must seek a mid-course check towards a stronger relationship propelled by concrete actions resulting in a win-win situation for both.
End Notes
[1] “Confluence of the Two Seas” Speech by H.E. Mr. Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of Japan at the Parliament of the Republic of India, August 22, 2007, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, available at http://www.mofa.go.jp/region/asia-paci/pmv0708/speech-2.html, accessed on 16 March 2016.
[2] ‘Joint Statement on India and Japan Vision 2025 : Special Strategic and Global Partnership Working Together for Peace and Prosperity of the Indo-Pacific Region and the World(December 12, 2015)’, Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, available at http://www.mea.gov.in/bilateral-documents.htm?dtl/26176/Joint_Statement_on_India_and_Japan_Vision_2025_Special_Strategic_and_Global_Partnership_Working_Together_for_Peace_and_Prosperity_of_the_IndoPacific_R, accessed on 12 March 2016.
[3] Franz-Stefan Gady, ‘India and Japan Continue to Deepen Their Defense Ties’, The Diplomat, 01 April 2015, available at http://thediplomat.com/2015/04/india-and-japan-continue-to-deepen-their-defense-ties/, accessed on 20 March 2016.