INDIA-JAPAN RELATIONSHIP (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – IR)

Context: The India-Japan partnership, grounded in a commitment to a free, open, and rules-based Indo-Pacific, is poised to strengthen further, as both nations held a new round of "2+2" dialogue amid rising Chinese military assertiveness in the region.

India-Japan Relationship

• Historical Relation: India and Japan share a deep historical relationship dating back to the 6th century when Buddhism was introduced to Japan, profoundly influencing Japanese culture through Indian cultural exchanges.
• Political Relationship: India and Japan established diplomatic relations in 1952. The India-Japan relationship was elevated to a 'Global and Strategic Partnership' in 2006, expanding from trade and aid to strong security ties.

o This partnership gained momentum with visits by the Japanese Emperor in 2013 and PM Shinzo Abe in 2014.

• Trade Relations: The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) signed in 2011 has bolstered economic cooperation, with bilateral trade reaching >US$ 20 billion in FY2023. 
• Defense Cooperation: Tri-Service Exchanges between Japan-India: Dharma Guardian (military exercise), JIMEX, Malabar (Maritime Exercise) & Shinyuu Maitri (Air Exercise).

o Security and Defence dialogues: “2+2” meeting, annual Defence Ministerial Dialogue and Coast Guard-to-Coast Guard dialogues.

• India-Led Initiatives: Japan actively participates in India-led initiatives like the International Solar Alliance (ISA), Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), and Leadership Group for Industry Transition (LeadIT).
• Science and Technology Cooperation: Bilateral Science & Technology Cooperation Agreement, India-Japan Digital Partnership (IJDP) etc.

o Cooperation in Nuclear Energy.

o SRO & JAXA signed an MoU for exploration of outer space for peaceful purposes.

• Skill Development: Under the India-Japan MoC signed in 2016, Japanese companies have established 35 Japan-India Institute of Manufacturing (JIM) in India and 11 Japanese Endowed Courses (JEC) in Indian Engineering Colleges.