[Answered] Do you think that Indo-Japanese nuclear submarine project will strengthen India and Japan against China? Give reasons in support of your argument.

In recent years, the India Japan relationship has steadily expanded and deepened. Both India and Japan share a global vision of peace, stability and prosperity, based on sustainable development. They also share democratic values and commitment to human rights, pluralism, open society, and the rule of law underpin the global partnership between the two countries.

Strengthen India and Japan against China:

• If any Asian power has the capacity to build a naval propulsion reactor, it is Japan, India’s partner in the QUAD against China.
• Today, the Chinese operate an overseas base in Djibouti, almost 6,000 miles from their home base. The Indian Navy’s excellent design organisation can provide the drawings for the submarine, while Mitsubishi or Hitachi manufactures the propulsion reactor.
• An Indo-Japanese nuclear submarine project would bring in an element of oceanic retribution to influence the strategic choices seen to be available in Beijing.
• Against the backdrop of China’s military capability, it is critical to enhance Japan’s deterrent— both independently and collectively—against China, in particular its use of force against disputed territories in the Indo-Pacific.

Issues:

• Japan has a strained relationship with Russia. India remains heavily reliant on Moscow for the support of key capabilities in its armed forces. The response of India and Japan to Russia’s invasion in Ukraine is also in stark contrast.
• Despite expansion in economic ties, the trade between India and Japan is limited and far below potential. Japan barely makes to India’s top 15 trading partners. India-Japan bilateral trade is less than one-fifth of India-China trade.
• On multiple global issues (especially issues related to developing vs developed nations gap) India and Japan end up on opposite sides. E.g. trade related aspects at the WTO like India’s tariff structure on imports.
• The Asia Africa Growth corridor has not achieved much so far. The joint infrastructure projects in Africa has remained limited in outcomes. Similarly, Japanese companies face considerable logistics challenges in their projects in India.

The governments of both countries should work together to remove bottlenecks hampering bilateral trade. Facilitating trade will help achieve its full potential. Trade can be the most potent pillar of India Japan relationship. As of now India-Japan trade is nearly 5% of Japan-China trade.