India-Japan Relations

Theme:

• India and Japan share a deep-rooted history of cultural, political, and economic relations. Both nations have a rich cultural heritage and a strong sense of national identity, which have helped to shape their relationship. In recent years, the India-Japan relationship has grown rapidly, with both nations recognizing the importance of each other as strategic partners in Asia and the world.

History:

• India and Japan have a long history of relations dating back to the 6th century AD.
• The two countries were linked through trade routes and cultural exchange, with Indian Buddhism playing a significant role in shaping Japanese culture.
• The relationship was interrupted during World War II when Japan invaded India’s neighbouring countries.
• After the war, Japan faced international isolation, and India was one of the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with Japan in 1952.

Importance of India for Japan:

• India is a growing market for Japanese businesses. Japanese companies have invested heavily in India, and the two countries have set a target of achieving $3.5 billion in Japanese investments in India by 2025.
• India is an important partner in regional security. Japan sees India as a key player in the Indo-Pacific region and has supported India’s bid for a permanent seat on the UN Security Council.
• India is important for Japan to counter China due to its strategic location, growing economy, and military capabilities. India shares values with Japan such as democracy, rule of law, and freedom of navigation. India’s growing influence in the Indo-Pacific region makes it a key partner for Japan to balance China’s increasing power and assertiveness in the region.
• India is an important partner for Japan in technology and innovation. Japan has been collaborating with India in areas such as robotics, AI, and space technology. For example, the two countries have cooperated on the development of a lunar rover and have held joint workshops on AI and robotics.

Importance of Japan for India:

• Japan is the largest donor of Official Development Assistance (ODA) to India. Since the 1950s, Japan has provided financial and technical assistance to India, helping the country in its socioeconomic development.
• Japan is a key partner in infrastructure development in India. Japanese companies are involved in several infrastructure projects in India, such as the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor and the Chennai-Bangalore Industrial Corridor.
•  Japan is an important trading partner for India. The two countries have set a target of achieving $50 billion in bilateral trade by 2025.
• Japan and India have been working together to enhance their defence cooperation, which includes joint military exercises and technology transfers. India sees Japan as a key partner in maintaining a balance of power in the Indo-Pacific region.

Challenges:

• The economic relationship between India and Japan needs to be strengthened further. While bilateral trade has increased, it is still below its potential.

• Japan has invested in projects in India, but many have been delayed due to complex regulations, bureaucratic red tape i.e excessive and unnecessary rules, procedures, and paperwork, and inconsistent state-level policies. Japan’s Vice Minister has called for the Indian government’s support to restore these investment projects.
• The growing influence of China in the region is a concern for both India and Japan. China’s territorial claims and military assertiveness in the South China Sea and the East China Sea have raised tensions in the region.
• Although India and Japan share strong cultural ties, there is a need to further enhance people-to-people ties, including tourism and cultural exchanges.

Way forward:

• The Indian government should take steps to simplify regulations and reduce bureaucratic red tape to improve the ease of doing business in India, making it more attractive for Japanese companies to invest in India.
• The Indian government should work closely with Japan to expedite the implementation of ongoing projects and ensure that new projects are executed smoothly.

• India and Japan can counter China’s influence through security collaboration, reducing India’s economic dependence on China, enhancing infrastructure connections, and joint projects in smaller South Asian states. Both countries are tying up in the field of information and communications to introduce 5G wireless networks, submarine fiber-optic cables, and other technologies from Japanese companies to India to counter China’s growing influence in telecommunications and digital infrastructure.
• There should be a focus on enhancing people-to-people ties between India and Japan, including promoting tourism and cultural exchanges. This will help strengthen the overall relationship between the two countries.

Conclusion:

The partnership between India and Japan is characterized by a strong commitment to promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in the region. The two countries have a shared vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific region, and they are working together to achieve this goal through cooperation and collaboration in various areas.

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References:

• Why is Japan so Important for India? – Kalinga Institute of Indo-Pacific Studies (kiips.in)
• India-Japan_Bilateral_Brief_feb_2020.pdf (mea.gov.in)

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