Recently, Japan has extended its hand towards India by approving the Official Development Assistance (ODA) for several significant projects. The bilateral relations between India and Japan have been thriving since 1958 and economic cooperation between these two countries has seen continued growth over recent years.
Key Projects under ODA
Various projects are being funded under the ODA. One of them is the Patna Metro Rail Construction Project with a financial backing of Rs. 5,509 crores. The project aims to deal with the escalating traffic demand in Patna by building a new metro corridor. This project will not only improve the urban environment but also trigger economic development and contribute significantly to climate change mitigation.
Another project that has received support from the ODA is the Forest and Biodiversity Conservation for Climate Change Response in West Bengal. With approx. Rs. 520 crores approved for this project, it aims to tackle and adapt to climate change, preserve and restore ecosystems through ecosystem-based climate change measures. This approach will boost sustainable socio-economic development in the state.
The Rajasthan Water Sector Livelihood Improvement Project is yet another key initiative supported by the ODA, with an allocation of Rs.1,055.53 crores. This project is designed to enhance the livelihoods of farmers and promote gender mainstreaming in agriculture and irrigation. The project will achieve these goals by enhancing water use efficiency and agricultural productivity along with improving existing irrigation facilities and agricultural support services.
Other ODAs to India from Japan
There are other remarkable examples of Japanese cooperation with India through the ODA. The Delhi Metro project stands out as the most successful instance of such collaborative efforts. Furthermore, Japan International Cooperation Agency has funded India’s Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC) project by providing a soft loan under Special terms for economic partnership (STEP).
Japan and India have also committed to building High-Speed Railways in India by introducing Japan’s Shinkansen System. The landmark India Japan Nuclear Deal in 2016 is another noteworthy collaboration. This deal will enable India to construct six nuclear reactors in southern India, which will result in a ten-fold increase in nuclear energy capacity by 2032.
UPSC Civil Services Examination Question
In the context of these developments, an intriguing question was raised in the Previous Year Question (PYQ) of UPSC Civil Services Examination: ‘The time has come for India and Japan to build a strong contemporary relationship, one involving global and strategic partnership that will have a great significance for Asia and the world as a whole’. This statement reflects the evolving dynamics of the India-Japan relationship and emphasizes its growing global significance.
