India–Japan Partnership In A Changing Global Order

Source:Indian Express
GS II: Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings and Agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests

Overview

1. News in Brief
2. Evolution of India-Japan Relations
3. Key Areas of Cooperation
4. Challenges
5. Way Forward

Why in the News?

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s visit to India for the 16th India–Japan Annual Summit has brought renewed focus on India–Japan strategic, economic, technological, and security cooperation amid global geopolitical and supply-chain disruptions.

News in Brief

• Japan considers India a key strategic partner in the Indo-Pacific and seeks to strengthen economic and technological cooperation.
• During the visit, both leaders are expected to review progress in infrastructure projects, defence partnerships, supply chain resilience, and investment commitments.
• The summit also reflects the growing importance of India–Japan ties in balancing China’s increasing influence in Asia and ensuring a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific.

Evolution of India–Japan Relations

1952 – Establishment of Diplomatic Relations

• India and Japan established formal diplomatic relations after the signing of the Treaty of Peace with Japan (San Francisco Peace Treaty).
• India chose not to seek war reparations from Japan, laying the foundation for a relationship based on mutual trust and goodwill.
• Since then, both countries have maintained friendly political and economic ties.

2000 – Global Partnership

• During the visit of Japanese Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori to India, the relationship was elevated to a Global Partnership.
• The focus expanded beyond economic cooperation to include political dialogue, regional stability, science and technology, and cultural exchanges.

2006 – Strategic and Global Partnership

• The partnership was upgraded to a Strategic and Global Partnership.
• Both countries institutionalized the Annual Summit between their Prime Ministers to review and strengthen bilateral cooperation.
• Cooperation expanded into defence, maritime security, counter-terrorism, infrastructure development, and energy security.

2014 – Special Strategic and Global Partnership

• During Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Japan, the relationship was elevated to a Special Strategic and Global Partnership.
• This marked a significant deepening of cooperation in defence, economic security, connectivity, technology, civil nuclear energy, high-speed rail, and the Indo-Pacific.
• Japan also committed greater investments in India’s infrastructure and manufacturing sectors.

Present Status

• India and Japan today share one of the closest strategic partnerships in the Indo-Pacific.
• Cooperation spans trade, investment, defence, maritime security, semiconductors, Artificial Intelligence (AI), critical minerals, supply chain resilience, clean energy, and regional connectivity.
• Both countries work closely through the Quad, G20, East Asia Summit, and other multilateral forums to promote a free, open, inclusive, and rules-based Indo-Pacific.

Key Areas Of Cooperation

Strengthening Bilateral Trade

• Japan remains one of India’s largest economic partners.
• The discussions aim to:
  • Increase bilateral trade.
  • Promote investments in manufacturing.
  • Improve market access.
  • Encourage participation of Japanese industries under Make in India.
  • Expand exports from India.
• Although bilateral trade has grown, it remains below its potential, making trade diversification a key agenda.

Investment and Infrastructure Development

• Japan is among the largest investors in India.
• Major sectors receiving Japanese investment include:
  • Metro rail systems
  • Industrial corridors
  • Roads and highways
  • Ports
  • Manufacturing
  • Renewable energy
  • Logistics
  • Smart cities
• Major Projects
  • Mumbai–Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (Bullet Train)
  • Delhi–Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC)
  • Dedicated Freight Corridor
  • Chennai–Bengaluru Industrial Corridor
  • Metro rail projects across Indian cities
• Japan provides long-term concessional loans through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), making infrastructure development affordable.

Technology and Innovation Partnership

• Technology has emerged as one of the strongest pillars of India–Japan cooperation focusing on,
• Artificial Intelligence
  • Ethical AI
  • Digital governance
  • AI research
  • Industrial automation
• Semiconductor Cooperation
  • Both countries are working to:
    • Build resilient semiconductor supply chains.
    • Reduce dependence on a few countries.
    • Encourage chip manufacturing in India.
• Critical Minerals
  • Cooperation focuses on securing minerals such as lithium, cobalt, and rare earth minerals.
  • These minerals are essential for electric vehicles, batteries, electronics, defence production.
• Digital economy
  • Collaboration includes:
    • Cybersecurity
    • 5G and future telecom
    • Digital payments
    • Innovation ecosystems
    • Start-up partnerships

Defence and Security Cooperation

• Defence Dialogues
  • Regular ministerial and military-level dialogues strengthen strategic coordination.
• Military Exercises
  • Dharma Guardian (Army)
  • JIMEX (Navy)
  • Veer Guardian (Air Force)
  • Malabar Naval Exercise (India, Japan, USA and Australia)
• Maritime Security
  • Focus areas include:
    • Anti-piracy operations
    • Maritime Domain Awareness
    • Freedom of Navigation
    • Disaster Relief Operations
    • Humanitarian Assistance
• Logistics Cooperation
  • The Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA) allows reciprocal access to military facilities for logistics support.

Indo-Pacific Cooperation

• India and Japan are major proponents of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP).
• Objectives include:
  • Freedom of navigation
  • Respect for international law.
  • Peaceful settlement of disputes.
  • ASEAN centrality
  • Secure sea lanes
  • Regional connectivity
• Both countries support the implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), 1982.

Counterbalancing China’s Growing Influence

• China’s increasing military and economic presence in the Indo-Pacific has encouraged closer India–Japan cooperation.
• The partnership helps:
  • Maintain regional balance of power.
  • Protect maritime trade routes.
  • Reduce dependence on China-centric supply chains.
  • Strengthen regional security.
  • Promote a rules-based order.
• India and Japan also cooperate within the Quad, along with the United States and Australia.

Supply Chain Resilience

• Recent disruptions caused by geopolitical conflicts exposed vulnerabilities in global supply chains.
• India and Japan are collaborating through the:
  • Supply Chain Resilience Initiative (SCRI)
  • Members:
    • India
      Japan
      Australia
• Objectives:
  • Diversify manufacturing.
  • Reduce excessive dependence on a single country.
  • Improve resilience.
  • Promote trusted production networks.

North-East India Cooperation

• Japan plays an important role in developing India’s North-East.
• India–Japan Act East Forum (2017), focus areas include
  • Road connectivity
  • Bridges
  • Water supply
  • Agriculture
  • Skill development
  • Tourism
  • Healthcare
  • Disaster management
• The initiative complements India’s Act East Policy.

Eight Pillars of India–Japan Cooperation

• Economy
• Economic Security
• Mobility
• Environment
• Technology and Innovation
• Healthcare
• People-to-People Exchanges
• State–Prefecture Partnerships

Regional and Global Cooperation

• India and Japan cooperate in:
  • Quad
  • G20
  • United Nations
  • East Asia Summit
  • ASEAN-led mechanisms
  • Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative
• They support:
  • UN Security Council reforms.
  • Sustainable Development Goals.
  • Climate action.
  • Disaster resilience.

Significance for India

• Attracts quality infrastructure investment and technology.
• Boosts Make in India and manufacturing.
• Strengthens semiconductor and critical mineral ecosystem.
• Enhances defence and maritime security.
• Diversifies supply chains and supports North-East development.
• Promotes clean energy and strengthens India’s strategic autonomy.

Significance for Japan

• Access to India’s large and growing market.
• Alternative manufacturing and investment destination.
• Diversifies supply chains.
• Strengthens Indo-Pacific security and maritime cooperation.
• Reinforces a trusted strategic partnership.

Challenges

• Slow implementation of infrastructure projects.
• Bilateral trade remains below potential.
• Regulatory and land acquisition delays.
• Global economic uncertainty and regional security challenges.

Way Forward

• Expand trade and investment under CEPA.
• Fast-track infrastructure projects.
• Deepen cooperation in semiconductors, AI, and clean energy.
• Strengthen defence manufacturing and supply chains.
• Enhance North-East connectivity and people-to-people exchanges.
• Increase coordination in regional and multilateral forums.

UPSC Prelims and Mains Practice Question

Consider the following statements regarding the Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP):

1. It promotes freedom of navigation and respect for international law.
2. It supports ASEAN centrality in the Indo-Pacific.
3. It seeks to suspend maritime trade during regional conflicts.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3

Answer: A

Mains Practice Question

Q.  “India–Japan relations have evolved into a Special Strategic and Global Partnership.” Examine the significance of India–Japan relations in the emerging global order and suggest measures to further strengthen the partnership.” (250 words)

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