Recently, the Japanese Prime Minister embarked on an official visit to India for the 14th India-Japan Annual Summit, a meeting of significance in the midst of the two countries celebrating the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations. The summit coincided with India’s 75th Independence Day celebration. Preceding this visit, the Indian Prime Minister launched the Japanese ‘Zen Garden – Kaizen Academy’ at the Ahmedabad Management Association (AMA) in Gujarat through a virtual inauguration.
Summit Highlights: Key Points of Discussion
The summit was a platform for various critical dialogues and announcements. One of the major topics discussed was Japan’s commitment to investing Rs 3.2 lakh crores in India over the next five years, specifically in areas such as connectivity, healthcare, horticulture, water supply and sewerage, and biodiversity conservation. An agreement was also signed for the introduction of Johkasou technology by Japanese firms to treat wastewater in underdeveloped regions in India.
Sustainable Development Initiative for India’s North Eastern Region
One of the significant initiatives unveiled at the summit was a Sustainable Development Initiative for the Northeast region of India. This initiative aims to improve infrastructure development, and includes both ongoing projects and prospective future cooperation in areas like connectivity, healthcare, renewable energy, and strengthening the bamboo value chain.
The India-Japan Digital Partnership
The leaders also exchanged views on “India-Japan Digital Partnership” with a focus on enhancing the digital economy through joint projects in emerging technologies like IoT and AI. Japan expressed its intent to attract more highly skilled Indian IT professionals to contribute to the Japanese ICT sector.
Clean Energy Collaboration
Another partnership launched was the Clean Energy Partnership, focused on facilitating cooperation in areas including electric vehicles, solar energy, hydrogen, ammonia, storage systems and batteries, and electric vehicle charging infrastructure. It aims to boost manufacturing in India, create resilient supply chains and foster collaboration in Research and Development.
India’s Participation in Expo 2025 Osaka
The Indian Prime Minister confirmed India’s participation in the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan. This participation is seen as a platform to expand trade, investment and people-to-people ties between the two nations.
Discussion on Indo-Pacific and QUAD
The summit witnessed critical conversations on promoting peace, security, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region. The importance of bilateral and plurilateral partnerships in the region, including the QUAD grouping between India, Australia, Japan, and the US were reaffirmed.
Addressing Regional Tensions and Conflicts
Besides focusing on bilateral relations, the summit also discussed global issues such as terrorism, the situation in Ukraine, China, Afghanistan, North Korea, and Myanmar. There was unanimous condemnation of terrorist attacks in India, with calls made on Pakistan to act against terror networks operating from its territory.
Recent Developments and Collaborations between India and Japan
Recent collaborations include the formal launch of the Supply Chain Resilience Initiative (SCRI) by India, Japan, and Australia to counter China’s dominance in the Indo-Pacific supply chain. In 2020, a logistics agreement known as the Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA) was signed allowing armed forces of both nations to coordinate in services and supplies.
Defence Exercises and Economic Partnerships
In the defense sector, both countries organize a series of exercises including JIMEX (naval), SHINYUU Maitri (Air Force), and Dharma Guardian (Army). They also participate in the Malabar exercise (Naval Exercise) with the USA and Australia. Japan is India’s 12th largest trading partner, with trade volumes standing at just one-fifth of the value of India-China bilateral trade.
Future Prospects
Going forward, collaboration and cooperation will prove beneficial to both nations, as India can harness sophisticated technology from Japan. There is potential for joint ventures by combining Japanese digital technology with Indian raw materials and labour, a move that would help counter China’s growing role in Asia and the Indo-Pacific region.
