Indo-Japanese Relations

I. Introduction:

1. Asia-Centred Global Order:
Analysts point out that the global strategic opinion is currently debating the global power shift from the West to the East. This implies the change in international relations in the coming years. India and China are seen as the powers on the rise. Japan the largest economy in Asia is also seen as a major player. It is felt that the Euro-Atlantic order is giving way to Asia-centric order.

2. Profound Impact of Relations between India-China-Japan on Asia and the Evolution of a Multilateral Global Order:

• In the changing international relations and shift of global focus to Asia, the relations between India, China and Japan would have a profound impact on the peace, security and development in Asia and the evolution of a multilateral global order.
  
• In political and security terms India and Japan do not have any dispute but both have complex territorial disputes with China.

3. Japan Keen on Upgrading Its Bilateral Relations with India:
According to the Japanese Foreign Office spokesperson Tomohiko Taniguchi, Japan is very much interested in upgrading its bilateral relations with India so that the two countries can work together on the basis of global partnership and also strategic partnership.

4. Issues between the Two Countries:

• Global Partnership with a Strategic Orientation:
  Analysts point out that India and Japan are currently engaged in a global partnership with a strategic orientation. Global partnership denotes dialogue on issues of international concern, while a strategic partnership would signal a closer overall relationship.
  
  
• Negotiations for a Bilateral Economic Partnership Agreement:
  The two sides are also negotiating a bilateral economic partnership agreement.
  
  
  
• Japan Keen to Invite India for Maintaining Maritime Security:
  The Japanese Foreign Office Spokesperson said that Japan was exploring the possibility of inviting India to join Japan, the US and Australia for maintaining maritime security through anti-piracy and anti-terror cooperation.
  
  
• Structured Discussions in the Defence Field:
  India's Foreign Secretary Shiv Shankar Menon said that India and Japan had agreed to structured discussions in the defence field in May 2006 during the visit of India's Defence Minister to Japan. The Coast Guards of the two countries were already holding annual exercises and a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the two sides had been agreed upon in November 2006.

5. Strong India-Japanese Relationship would Play a Significant Role in the Emerging Asian Security Architecture:
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh described the relations with Japan as one of the most important bilateral relationships. He pointed out that a strong India-Japan relationship would play a significant role in the emerging Asian security architecture and would contribute to the peace, stability and prosperity of Asia and the world.

II. Background:

1. Japanese Prime Minister's Visit to India (April 29-30, 2005):
No specific agreements were signed between India and Japan during the visit of Japanese Prime Minister, Junichiro Koizumi to India. The entire visit focussed on the Joint Statement and the Eight-Fold Initiative.

A. Joint Statement:

a. Asia Emerging as Leading Growth Centre of Global Economy:
In a Joint Statement issued after talks between India's Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh and Japan's Prime Minister, Junichiro Koizumi, India and Japan recognised that Asia was now emerging as the leading growth centre of the global economy and exerting an ever-greater influence in global affairs. Both leaders expressed happiness at the rapid transformation taking place in Asia and confidence in its bright future.

b. Creating an Arc of Prosperity across Asia:
Both countries had a common interest in and complementary responsibility for promoting security, stability and prosperity in Asia. Both leaders agreed on an action plan to ensure that their bilateral cooperation works towards providing regional stability and creates an 'arc of prosperity' across Asia.

c. Indo-Japanese Global Partnership Reflects Convergence of Interests:
The two leaders held that their global partnership reflected a broad convergence of their long-term political, economic and strategic interests, aspirations, objectives and concerns.

d. High-Level Strategic Dialogue:
A high-level strategic dialogue was formalised to include maritime and energy security among other areas, between National Security Adviser, M.K. Narayanan and diplomatic adviser to the Japanese Prime Minister, Yoriko Kawaguchi.

e. Partners Against Proliferation:
India and Japan pledged to work as partners against proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD).

f. Joint Study Group to Consider the Feasibility of an Economic Partnership Agreement:
The two leaders directed that the Joint Study Group on furthering economic relations, to be set up in June 2005, submit its report within a year, and consider the feasibility of an economic partnership agreement.

g. Cooperation on UN Security Council Reform:
The Joint Statement also emphasised on the importance of taking a decision on UN Security Council reform before the UN summit in September 2005.

B. Eight-Fold Initiative to Give Strategic Orientation of the Global Partnership:

• Enhanced and upgraded dialogue architecture.
  
• Expansion of trade and investment flows and exploration of an Indo-Japan economic partnership agreement.
  
• Enhanced security dialogue cooperation.
  
• Science and Technology Initiative.
  
• Cultural and academic initiatives and strengthening of people-to-people contacts.
  
• Cooperation in ushering a new Asian era.
  
• Cooperation in the UN and other international organisations.
  
• Cooperation in responding to global challenges and opportunities.

2. Significance of the Visit:

a. Reinforcing the Strategic Relationship:
Analysts point out that the visit of the Japanese Prime Minister, Junichiro Koizumi to India was aimed at reinforcing the strategic relationship that has developed between the two nations, especially in light of their cooperation for permanent membership of the UN Security Council.

b. Reasons Behind the New Warmth in Indo-Japanese Relations:

Japan Views India as a Potentially Important Ally:
Analysts point out that the visit to India by the Japanese Prime Minister demonstrates that Japan views India a potentially important ally in the emerging international order. It is felt that Japan's tense relations with China could have provided an additional motivation for building ties with India.

Sustained Relations with Japan Part of India's Policy of Building Closer Ties with Major Powers:
Analysts opine that sustained engagement with Japan is part of India's policy of building closer ties with all the major powers. Stronger relations will help India in establishing India as a key player in the Asia-Pacific region, and the larger international system.

c. Imparting Strategic Orientation to their Global Partnership:
The Joint Statement and the Eight-Fold initiative pledge for imparting strategic orientation to their global partnership. This new relationship will be developed through three tiers of cooperation, bilateral, regional and global. The strategic elements of the dialogue will be identified by the national security advisers of both countries.

d. Greater Cooperation in the Security Arena:
Indo-Japanese cooperation in the security arena would be enhanced. The Indian coast guard and the Japanese coast guard will initiate steps to establish a framework for effective cooperation. The Indian Navy and the Self Defence Force of Japan will also strengthen their cooperation.

e. Focus on Enhancing Economic Ties:
During the Japanese Prime Minister's visit to India both sides decided to enhance economic ties. The aim is to impart a 10-fold increase in trade from $4 billion in five years. Japan will assist India in large infrastructure projects. One such project is the high-speed computerised freight trains between metro cities and running parallel to the Golden Quadrilateral Highway network.

III. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s Visit to Japan (October 21-23, 2008):

1. Joint Declaration on Security and Cooperation between India and Japan:

• The Security declaration contains elements like joint exercises, disaster management, counter-terrorism, piracy and non-proliferation.
  
• The declaration builds on the existing momentum in defence ties between India and Japan.
  
• It seeks to gradually widen the ambit of defence ties with a view to influence the nature of Asia’s emerging security architecture.
  
• Both countries asserted that their partnership would be an essential pillar for the future architecture of the region.
  
• Declaration includes policy coordination on regional affairs in the Asia-Pacific region, bilateral cooperation within multilateral frameworks in Asia, in particular the East Asia Summit (EAS), ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and the ReCAAP process against piracy in South-East Asia.
  
• The mechanism of cooperation include regular Foreign Office consultations and Defence Ministry and Armed Forces interactions, including bilateral and multilateral exercises.
  

2. Significance of the India-Japan Joint Declaration on Security Cooperation:

India-Japan Security Declaration a Significant Milestone in Building Asian Security Power Equilibrium:

Analysts feel that the India-Japan security cooperation declaration was significant milestone in building Asian power equilibrium. A group of Asian countries linked by strategic cooperation and sharing common interests could become critical to institute power stability in a scenario where shifts in economic and political power are increasing Asias security challenges.

India-Japan Security Cooperation Not Limited to Bilateral Cooperation but also to the Security in the Asia Pacific:
Analysts point out that the India-Japan joint declaration on security cooperation recognises the common commitment of India and Japan to democracy, open society, human rights and the rule of law. The declaration obligates the two sides to work together to build bilateral defence cooperation as well as security in the Asia Pacific.

India-Japan Security Cooperation Not Directed Against China:
Japan Regards Security Cooperation with India as very important, according to the Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso. He stressed that there was no assumption of a third country as a target such as China. Indias Prime Minister Manmohan Singh also stressed that the Indias economic relations and security cooperation with Japan would not be at the cost of any third country, least of all China.

India only the Third Country to Sign a Security Cooperation Document with Japan:

Analysts point out that Japan considers India Crucial to its strategic policy. India is only the third country after the US and Australia, with which Japan has signed a security cooperation document.

3. Economic Cooperation:

• Japan committed $4.5 billion to the 1,468 km-long freight corridor between New Delhi and Mumbai.
  
• India’s bilateral trade with China in the past one year alone was more than the whole of India’s total trade with Japan, according to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
  
• India and Japan working hard to finalise the proposed Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). Differences remain in case of agriculture and pharmaceuticals where Japan is resisting Indias demands for market access.
  
• The Joint Statement issued by the two countries stressed that the early conclusion of the WTO’s Doha Round negotiations was vital for the maintenance and development of the international trade system.
  
• Economic Cooperation, the “first leg” of bilateral relations with Japan, had yet to realise its full potential, according to Indias Foreign Secretary. Political and security cooperation was the “second leg” of the bilateral relationship.
  

IV. Third Round of India-Japan Strategic Dialogue (Tokyo, July 03, 2009):

1. Foreign Ministers of India and Japan Meet in Tokyo:
Indias External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna and his Japanese counterpart Hirofumi Nakasone met in Tokyo on July 03, 2009 for the third round of the India-Japan strategic dialogue. The meeting was an annual exercise.

2. Both sides agreed to sustain and possibly expand their canvas of cooperation in the bilateral and international domains.

3. The two countries agreed to work actively together for the accomplishment of the dedicated freight corridor project in India and for the early realisation of the Delhi-Mumbai industrial corridor project.

4. Economic Ties:

• No timetable set for the finalisation of an over-arching comprehensive economic partnership agreement.
  
• Both sides emphasised the need for a high-quality and mutually beneficial accord.

5. Security Cooperation:

• The two Ministers discussed follow-up measures for formulating an “action plan” on the unprecedented Joint Security Declaration on Security Cooperation issued during the Indian Prime Ministers visit to Japan in October 2008.
  
• A bilateral dialogue on maritime security, inclusive of anti-piracy cooperation, would start soon.

6. Nuclear Issues:

• Meeting of minds on the issue of worldwide nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation.
  
• Japan appreciated India’s ongoing observance of a voluntary moratorium on nuclear-weapon tests and expressed hope that India would sign the CTBT and ratify it.
  
• Japan was also hopeful of cooperation with India for an early start of multilateral negotiations on a Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty (FMCT).
  
• India assured Japan of its constructive participation in nuclear disarmament talks.
• India reaffirmed its commitment to a universal, non-discriminatory, and verifiable regime for a nuclear weapons-free world.

7. Climate Change:

• India emphasised the need for an ambitious but also an equitable and fair solution.
  
• Both sides shared the view that they should step up their bilateral dialogue on this issue.

V. Significance of the India-Japan Strategic Dialogue:

• The overall agenda for India-Japan strategic dialogue is vast. The scope of the dialogue is wide and the issues include the economic well-being of people, eco-friendly development, energy security, and international peace and stability.
  
• The growing convergence of views on the issue of worldwide nuclear disarmament is significant as Japan was opposed to India’s nuclear tests and had imposed economic sanctions on it.
  
• The India-Japan strategic dialogue points to the fact that Japan has realised that India is a responsible nuclear power. Indias nuclear weapons are not an irritant in the overall India-Japan relations.
  
• The „Strategic and Global Partnership agreed to by India and Japan is a stimulus package for dialogue between the two countries. It provides for talks aimed at specific agreements, on cooperation in the bilateral and multilateral domains, according to analysts.
  
• The India-Japan strategic dialogue was not designed to send any political signal to China. The new dynamics of Sino-Indian relations did not figure in the India-Japan strategic dialogue.

VI. Conclusion:

1. Major-Shift in Indo-Japanese Relations:

Analysts point out that the agreed move to view the bilateral relations from the prism of strategic interests in the regional and global perspectives signifies a major shift in Indo-Japanese relations.

2. Prime Minister's Visit in the Context of India's Growing Importance for Japanese Diplomacy:

According to the Japanese Foreign Office spokesperson, Indian Prime Minister's visit to Japan and his summit meeting with his Japanese counterpart took place in the context of India's growing importance and influence for Japanese diplomacy.

3. Factors Behind the Growing Indo-Japanese Relations:

Analysts opine that the following factors have played a key role in bringing together India and Japan closer:

• India's View that Japan must have Its Rightful Place in the World:
  In 1957 India had accorded a warm welcome to then Japanese Prime Minister Nobusuke Kishi. At a time when Japan was treated as an enemy state in the rest of Asia, India's then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru insisted that Japan must have its rightful place in the world. When rest of Asia was demanding reparations from Japan, India chose to waive its claims. Thus, India's political empathy for Japan has become important in the current context where Japan wants to become a normal power.
  
  
  
• At a Time when Japan wants to take New Security Responsibilities in Asia, India which has no Disputes with Japan is seen as welcome partner:
  Analysts point out that the current Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe wants to amend Japan's pacifist Constitution so that Japan can become a normal power and take new security responsibilities in Asia. Unlike the rest of Asia which could be sceptical about Japan's political change, India which has no disputes with Japan is seen as a more welcome partner.
  
  
• Rise of China has Compelled Japan to Review Its long-term Options in Asia:
  Analysts point out that the rise of China has compelled Japan to review its long-term options in Asia. In this context, political and security cooperation with India has become a component of Japan's new strategy. However, the Indo-Japanese global and strategic partnership is more focused towards gaining flexibility in their conduct of foreign and security policies in Asia rather than seeking to contain China, according to analysts.
  
  
  
• Japan wants to Avoid Overwhelming Economic Dependence on China:
  In 2005 there were anti-Japan protests in China which underlined the dangers of Japan's overwhelming dependence on China. Japan was looking for another important economic relationship and India as a rising economic power in Asia looked a dependable partner for Japan. The result was the plan to establish a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement to fully utilise the economic potential between the two countries.
  
  
  
• Shared Political Values:
  After the visit of India's Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to Japan in December 2006, the two sides have injected the notion of shared values into the bilateral relations. The two countries are the major democracies of the world and have a common commitment to democracy.
  

4. Elevation of Indo-Japanese Bilateral Relations Not Aimed at Countering China:
India has emphasised that the elevation of the Indo-Japanese bilateral relations were not aimed at countering China. It was emphasised that India, China and Japan should be the three countries which will have to be the anchors of stability and progress in Asia.

 

Published date : 26 Oct 2009 05:51PM