Syllabus: GS2/ International Relations
In News
- At the 15th India–Japan Annual Summit (2025), both nations adopted a “Joint Vision for the Next Decade” along with multiple agreements covering economic, security, technological, and cultural cooperation.
- Japan also announced an investment target of 10 trillion yen (₹5.5 lakh crore) in India over the next 10 years.
Key Outcomes of the Summit
- Joint Vision for the Next Decade: Framework across eight pillars: economic partnership, economic security, mobility, innovation, defence, environment, multilateral cooperation, and cultural exchanges.
- Security & Defence Cooperation: Adoption of a Joint Declaration on Security Cooperation, intensifying strategic ties.
- Launch of economic security initiatives to safeguard supply chains, technology, and minerals.
- Expanded defence exercises: Dharma Guardian (Army), Shinyuu Maitri (Air Force), JIMEX (Navy).
- Logistics support under the Acquisition & Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA) has been strengthened.
- Mobility & Human Resource Exchange:
- Action Plan for Human Resource Exchange enables two-way mobility for 500,000 people in 5 years.
- 50,000 Indian workers targeted for placement in Japan under the Next-Generation Mobility Partnership.
- Technology & Digital Cooperation:
- Launch of India-Japan Digital Partnership 2.0, covering AI, semiconductors, quantum computing, and cybersecurity.
- Joint R&D through India-Japan AI Initiative boosts tech innovation.
- Sustainability & Environment:
- Cooperation under the Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM)—aimed at low-carbon technology and clean energy adoption.
- Sustainable Fuel Initiative promotes clean hydrogen and ammonia.
- Collaboration on wastewater management and renewable energy deployment.
- Space & Minerals:
- Joint Lunar Polar Exploration Mission brings together ISRO and JAXA for moon exploration.
- MoU signed for critical mineral resource cooperation.
- Cultural & People-to-People Ties:
- Programs boost cultural exchanges, tourism, and education.
- City–prefecture level partnerships deepen subnational ties.
Significance of India–Japan Relations
- Strategic Convergence: The partnership addresses shared concerns about assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific, aligning with the Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) strategy.
- Economic Ties: Japan is the 5th largest investor in India and key partner in infrastructure projects like the Delhi–Mumbai Industrial Corridor and Bullet Train.
- Industrial Competitiveness Partnership builds resilient supply chains.
- Global Governance: Both countries advocate for UNSC reform, are Quad and G20 members, and support reformed multilateralism.
- Defence Cooperation: Regular joint exercises enhance interoperability, strengthening India’s Indo-Pacific role.
Way Forward
- Expand defence ties with maritime tech co-development.
- Upgrade CEPA to boost bilateral trade.
- Scale up hydrogen, ammonia, and renewable energy collaboration.
- Align skilling initiatives to match India’s workforce with Japan’s demographic needs.
- Promote resilient supply chains, digital infrastructure, and climate leadership in the Global South.
- This summit sharpens Indo-Japanese cooperation for regional stability, shared economic growth, and sustainable progress over the coming decade.
| Brief on India-Japan Relations – Establishment of Relations: After WWII, India opted for a separate Peace Treaty with Japan, signed in 1952, marking the start of formal diplomatic relations. – Growth in Bilateral Ties: India-Japan bilateral relations were elevated to Global Partnership in 2000, Strategic and Global Partnership in 2006, and Special Strategic and Global Partnership in 2014. – Strategic Synergy: India’s Act East Policy and Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) align closely with Japan’s Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) policy. – Collaboration on Global Initiatives: Japan and India cooperate in initiatives like the International Solar Alliance (ISA), Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), and Leadership Group for Industry Transition (LeadIT). 1. Both countries work together in multilateral frameworks like the Japan-Australia-India-U.S. Quad and the India-Japan-Australia Supply Chain Resilience Initiative (SCRI). – Defence and Security: Joint Declaration on Security Cooperation (2008), Defence Cooperation and Exchanges MoU (2014), Information Protection Agreement (2015), Reciprocal Provision of Supplies and Services Agreement (2020), and co-development of the UNICORN naval mast (2024). 1. Exercises: Malabar (with the US and Australia), Milan (multilateral naval), JIMEX (bilateral maritime), Dharma Guardian (Army), and Coast Guard cooperation are held regularly. (a). 2024-25 saw the participation of service chiefs in India and Japan, strengthening interoperability. – Bilateral Trade: Bilateral trade reached $22.8 billion in 2023-24. 1. Imports from Japan continue to outweigh exports. India’s main exports are chemicals, vehicles, aluminium, and seafood; imports include machinery, steel, copper, and reactors. – Investment: Japan is India’s fifth-largest source of FDI, with $43.2 billion cumulative investment up to 2024. 1. Japan has consistently ranked India as the most promising long-term investment destination. – Space Collaboration: ISRO and JAXA collaborate in X-ray astronomy, satellite navigation, lunar exploration, and the Asia Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum (APRSAF). 1. In 2016, they signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) for peaceful space exploration and use. – Emerging Focus Areas: Digital cooperation (semiconductors, startups), clean energy, supply chain resilience, industrial competitiveness, and skill development. – Development and Infrastructure Cooperation: Japan has been India’s largest Official Development Assistance (ODA) donor since 1958, supporting critical infrastructure and human development projects. 1. ODA disbursement stood at about JPY 580 billion ($4.5 billion) in 2023-24. 2. The flagship Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail is the flagship project symbolising advanced technology transfer and skill development. – Tourism: 2023-24 was celebrated as the Year of Tourism Exchange, with the theme “Connecting Himalayas with Mount Fuji”. – Diaspora: About 54,000 Indians live in Japan, mainly IT professionals and engineers. |
Source: DD News
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