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Journalism of Courage
Making up for time lost,India recognises Japan as an indispensable partner
Prime Minister Manmohan Singhs just-concluded visit to Tokyo marks an inflection point in Indias quest for a solid strategic partnership with Japan. On the eve of the PMs visit,Delhi appeared afraid of annoying Beijing by drawing closer to Tokyo. Sino-Japanese tensions and Delhis hopes for a political breakthrough with China suggested that India might miss a rare opportunity at hand in Japan. The re-election of Shinzo Abe,who gave a big boost to ties with India during 2006-07,as the prime minister of Japan last December was an entirely unexpected political blessing,but Delhi seemed reluctant to embrace Abe. The Chinese military intrusion in eastern Ladakh last month exposed the enduring fragility of Indias relations with China and underlined the new salience of the Japan option.
The two prime ministers agreed to step up bilateral defence cooperation,conduct joint naval exercises,and explore the modalities for the Indian purchase of Japanese amphibian aircraft that will extend the Indian capabilities for search and rescue and disaster relief in the waters of the Indian Ocean. As they deepen security cooperation,India and Japan do not want to frame their bilateral engagement in opposition to China. Beijing offers no apologies to Delhi for its military alliance with iron-brother Pakistan. Delhi,too,has no reason to be defensive about its unfolding Japanese connection. Both Delhi and Tokyo have their problems with Beijing but each recognises the importance of seeking peaceful relations with a rising China. Singh and Abe,then,have rightly focused on tapping the huge unrealised potential of the India-Japan strategic partnership.
