India and Japan: A Strategic Partnership in the Indo-Pacific Region

Strategic Insights -

India and Japan are two natural partners in the Indo-Pacific region, given their strategic convergence and shared concerns over the rise of China. Despite their differences in military power and economic capabilities, the two countries have built a robust partnership centered around their shared goals of influencing regional power dynamics and shaping the Indo-Pacific region. The partnership has been nurtured in the midst of geopolitical headwinds and domestic political changes in Tokyo.

Key Takeaways:

  • The India-Japan partnership is driven by three sets of factors: the interplay of US-China relations, China's regional assertiveness, and the degree to which the US prioritises the region; increasing economic, technological, and soft power engagement between the two countries; and mutual respect and tolerance for each other's concerns and sensitivities.
  • The partnership has a significant challenge in managing the complexities and unpredictability of the US-China relationship in the Indo-Pacific, which could influence the dynamics of the India-Japan partnership.
  • India and Japan have a shared concern over the emergence of a China-dominated Asia and are likely to consider ways of preventing this outcome.
  • The India-Japan trade relationship is weak compared to other countries' trade relationships with China, with a bilateral trade of only $23 billion.
  • Japan has pledged to invest $68 billion in India during PM Modi's visit to Tokyo, which is a promising start to deepen trade and investment between the two countries.
  • The "Joint Declaration on Security Cooperation" between India and Japan highlights a keen desire for greater security and defence collaboration, but concrete action is needed to translate the wealth of promising ideas into tangible initiatives.

Statistics:

  • Bilateral trade between India and Japan is $23 billion.
  • Japan has pledged to invest $68 billion in India.
  • India's bilateral trade with China is $130 billion.
  • Japan's bilateral trade with China is $300 billion.
  • AusIMM's data reveals that 41% of global cobalt comes from the Democratic Republic of Congo, 44% from China, and the remaining 15% from Australia, Indonesia, and other countries (Source: [1] Australian Mining and Materials Society)

Sources:

  • HT Digital Content Services with permission from HT Lucknow
  • [1] Australian Mining and Materials Society