The recent 2+2 ministerial meeting between India and Japan in Tokyo is a notable progression in their bilateral relations. The spotlight of this assembly was the elevation of security and defence cooperation, underlining the necessity for counterstrike capabilities against growing security risks, primarily from China.
Both nations agreed to expand their defence budget considerably to reinforce their capability. This dialogue signified a strategic leap in addressing the mutual concerns about sustaining regional security and stability.
Enhanced Maritime Cooperation through Inclusive Vision
Another significant facet of the meeting was enhancing maritime cooperation. There were comprehensive discussions on promoting maritime domain awareness under India’s inclusive vision of Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR). This initiative aims to foster an open, inclusive, and rules-based navigation order in the Indo-Pacific region.
The Imperative of Global Cooperation
In light of the shifting geopolitical landscape, both countries unequivocally acknowledged the requirement for global cooperation to deal with security challenges more effectively. The consensus reflected a deeper commitment towards a free, open, rule-based, and inclusive Indo-Pacific, underpinned by the sovereignty and territorial integrity of nations.
Understanding the 2+2 Dialogue
The 2+2 Ministerial is the highest-level institutional mechanism amongst two countries. Typically, the defence and foreign ministers or secretaries converge with their counterparts. India currently engages in 2+2 dialogues with four prime strategic partners – the US, Australia, Japan, and Russia.
India-Japan Defence Exercises: A Roadmap of Bilateral Security Cooperation
The defence forces of India and Japan regularly conduct a series of bilateral exercises like JIMEX (naval), SHINYUU Maitri (Air Force), and Dharma Guardian (Army). The initial participation of Japan in the multilateral exercise MILAN and the operationalization of the Reciprocal Provision of Supply and Services Agreement in March 2022 are significant milestones in their defence collaboration.
Healthcare Synergies
The similarities and synergies between India’s AYUSHMAN Bharat Programme and Japan’s AHWIN offer promising prospects for healthcare collaboration. Both countries have been consulting to identify projects for building a synergistic narrative.
Investment and Economic Relations between India and Japan
India and Japan share robust economic ties, underpinned by Japanese Official Development Assistance (ODA). Japan has been the largest provider of ODA Loan to India for the past decades. Economic landmarks like Delhi Metro and Western Dedicated Freight Corridor project exemplify effective utilization of the Japanese ODA.
Developments during the 14th India-Japan Annual Summit, 2022
The recent summit witnessed several important developments. A Sustainable Development Initiative was launched for infrastructure development in India’s North-Eastern region. The India-Japan Digital Partnership is aimed at enhancing the digital economy through joint projects in IoT, AI, and other emerging technologies.
Clean Energy Partnership: Boosting Green Collaboration
Another strategic initiative was the launch of the Clean Energy Partnership. This partnership aims to promote cooperation in areas like electric vehicles, storage systems, electric vehicle charging infrastructure, solar energy, hydrogen, ammonia, and more. The objective is to encourage manufacturing in India, form resilient supply chains, and foster collaboration in Research and Development.