Q.The time has come for India and Japan to build a strong contemporary relationship, one involving global and strategic partnership that will have a great significance for Asia and the world as a whole. Comment.

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Why India and Japan Need to Build a Strong Contemporary Relationship

• Complementarity: Former Japanese PM Shinzo Abe saw India as key to expanding Japan's security options beyond its traditional US-centric framework, while India views Japan as central to the success of its 'Act East' (formerly 'Look East') policy.
• Synergistic Dissimilarities: The differences between the two nations create opportunities for strong economic collaboration:
  • Japan has a solid heavy manufacturing base, whereas India boasts services-led growth.
  • India is a leader in software, while Japan excels in hardware.
  • India has the world's largest youthful population, whereas Japan is aging rapidly.
  • Japan possesses financial and technological power, while India offers human capital and a massive market.
• Economic Convergence: 'Abenomics' and 'Modinomics' are both geared toward reviving laggard growth, requiring mutual support. While Tokyo sees New Delhi as important to its economic-revival strategy, India views Japan as a critical source of capital and commercial technology to upgrade its infrastructure and manufacturing base.
• The China Factor: Japan has a clear interest in a stronger, economically robust India. Just as Japan assisted China's economic rise through aid, investment, and technology transfers over three decades, it is now ready to help India become an economic powerhouse on par with China.

Significance of the Relationship for Asia and the World

• Countering Chinese Assertion: China has become increasingly assertive in its bilateral and regional relations, opening multiple fronts of competition. India and Japan are best placed to withstand Chinese pressures and provide cover for other Asian nations to resist coercion.
• Economic Development of Asia and Africa: The two nations have teamed up to launch the "Asia-Africa Growth Corridor" (AAGC), focusing on connectivity and infrastructure projects in Southeast Asia and Africa as a viable counter to China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
• QUAD and Value-Based Foreign Policy: India has been accorded a central space in Japan's value-based foreign policy frameworks, including the 'Arc of Freedom and Prosperity', 'Confluence of the Two Seas', 'Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD)', and Asia's 'Democratic Security Diamond'.

Future Focus of India-Japan Relations

• Move beyond merely countering China to proactively synergizing resources and ensuring efficient implementation of joint projects.
• Engage in forward-thinking to realize the full potential of the 'Special Strategic and Global Partnership' in the Indo-Pacific.
• Coordinate on connectivity projects in the South Asian neighborhood, including Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Myanmar.
• Explore joint projects in Africa (e.g., Nigeria, Mozambique, Angola) to secure common energy and developmental interests.