Opinion A natural bond
Given their shared concerns about China,it makes sense for India and Japan to draw closer
Given their shared concerns about China,it makes sense for India and Japan to draw closer
The year 2012 marked a significant occasion for Japan and India. The two countries jointly celebrated the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between them. This long-term friendship features not only the past efforts of the Japanese and Indian people,but also the hopeful future of the bilateral relationship between the two. The Japan-India relationship,however,would have been stronger had Japans domestic politics not been plunged into turmoil over the past six years. Since 2006,after Junichiro Koizumi left his position as prime minister,Japan has had a different leader almost every year. Frequent changes in top leadership make confidence-building processes with foreign countries less effective,as it becomes difficult to facilitate summit-level diplomacy continuously and deeply. Although mutual visits by the prime ministers of both countries were conducted consecutively from 2005 to 2011,mutual understanding between them suffered due to the fact that Manmohan Singhs Japanese counterpart kept changing. It was also unfortunate that Singhs visit to Japan in November 2012 had to be suddenly cancelled as Japans then PM Yoshihiko Noda was going to be replaced soon. As a result of the instability in Japans domestic politics,the mutual prime ministerial visits that had been a feature of the bilateral relationship for the past seven years were put off.
It is now,however,a good time for Japan and India to deepen their relationship. Political conditions in Japan have drastically changed since the national election held in December 2012,which ended in a one-sided victory for the Liberal Democratic Party,leading to the nomination of a new prime minster,Shinzo Abe. Abes economic policies the so-called Abenomics have been well received. His leadership has been recognised by many people and he is still popular among Japanese voters,according to recent public opinion polls. These are indicators that the Abe cabinet may last longer than a year. More,he may even be able to serve a second term. Since it is Abes second go-around as PM,he may already know how to push his politics. When Abe first served as PM from September 2006 to September 2007,he welcomed Singh in December 2006 and visited India in August 2007. It was,therefore,the third summit meeting between Singh and Abe. It is not an exaggeration to say that they are forming a close relationship and,perhaps,a good friendship reports that Abe invited Singh to a private dinner,which was not scheduled beforehand,certainly suggest it. It is rare that predetermined official schedules are changed on short notice at the summit level. It has also been said that Abe was well prepared for this meeting,indicative of the importance he places on the Japan-India ties.
Recent economic and geopolitical circumstances make India a critical global partner for Japan. India is an attractive market for Japanese business and industry,as its domestic market will shrink drastically in the coming decades due to a rapidly ageing society. The fact that current Japan-China relations are deteriorating after territorial disputes is another reason that Japan is trying to find a large and growing market comparable to China. Many Japanese companies that have invested in China are looking for another country to invest in,in addition to China,considering the so-called China risk a realistic threat given the government-supported demonstrations targeted against Japanese businesses during the height of the East China Sea islands dispute last year. India is a growing market,which makes it attractive to Japanese investors. Indeed,Japans economic relations with India are now quite deep,as Japans share of exports as well as investments to India in total,has maintained an upward trend. From a geopolitical perspective,securing sea lanes in the Indian Ocean is critical for Japan,since natural resources,including oil and gas,are shipped through it to Japan. As a neighbouring big country in Asia that shares the values of democracy,human rights and the rule of law,India is a key partner for Japan in terms of national security and peace,and the stability of the region.
Japans positive approach towards India is also beneficial for India. India is the largest recipient of Japanese official development assistance,and Japan is the third-largest investor in India. Japanese foreign direct investment can be utilised effectively for infrastructure development in India,including train systems and power generation,in order to swiftly tackle congested traffic and shortage of electricity in urban areas. India also has serious territorial disputes with China,and it is not at all a bad idea for India to establish close ties with Japan,which has similar concerns.
The domestic and regional political and economic environment is conducive for a deepening of the Japan-India bilateral relationship,and for the two countries to cooperate closely on security. Cooperation between them can influence the future direction of not only Asia,but also the international community. By confirming their commitment to remaining important and amicable partners through deeper exchange and cooperation in all areas,Japan and India should continue to enhance their ties,encourage harmonious relations and improve mutual understanding.
The writer is a research fellow at the Japan Institute of International Affairs,Tokyo
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