Tokyo-Delhi compact

Source– The post is based on the article “Tokyo-Delhi compact” published in The Indian Express on 12th September 2022.

Syllabus: GS2- International Relations.

Relevance– About India-Japan relations.

News- The article explains the outcomes of recently held 2+2 ministerial dialogue between India and Japan and other important aspects of their relations.

Recently the second India-Japan 2+2 ministerial dialogue was held in Tokyo.

What are other important developments taking place in the context of ministerial dialogue?

There is heightened tension across Taiwan strait where China installed five missiles inside Japan’s exclusive economic zone.

There is an increase in the defence budget of Japan to 2% and it is developing counter strike capabilities to tackle emerging threats from China and North Korea.

What are the key outcomes from dialogue?

The Joint Statement reiterates their commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific, a rules-based global order that respects sovereignty and territorial integrity and the peaceful resolution of disputes.

A key outcome of this round of talks was the agreement to launch the Joint Service

Staff talks between the Japan Joint Staff and the Indian Integrated Defence Staff which enhance their cooperation further build on existing bilateral and multilateral exercises including “Dharma Guardian”, “JIMEX” and “Malabar” and, an earlier decision to conduct the inaugural India-Japan fighter exercise between the two air forces.

Discussion on the Ukraine issue.

They also welcomed Japan’s participation for the first time in the MILAN multilateral naval exercise.

What are the other aspects of their relationship?

There were two bilateral summits this year-the visit of Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to India in March and that of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Japan for the Quad

Leaders’ Summit in May.

Both are celebrating the 70th anniversary of their relationship.

Modi and Abe laid a strong foundation of the relationship. PM of Japan, Kishida played an important role in developing bilateral ties in his capacity as Foreign Minister between 2012-17.

What are the potential areas of cooperation?

Cooperation in defence equipment and technology, covering areas such as Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGV) and Robotics, where Japan has considerable strengths.

Another area of potential cooperation is in the manufacturing of drones. Japan’s largest drone manufacturer, ACSL, has already established a joint venture in India with Delhi-based Arc Ventures.

The Agreement Concerning Reciprocal Provision of Supplies and Services (ACSA)

between the Self-Defence Forces of Japan and the armed forces of India signed in

2020 has already been operationalised earlier this year. This paves the way for deeper cooperation between the two militaries.