While this is a strong record of cooperation, there are still many areas for further enhancement. Economically, the CEPA means greater economic connectivity, which is especially beneficial given the complimentary nature of their economies. For instance, continued Japanese growth will require more workers and greater engagement with growing markets. India can therefore play a vital role with its booming economy, lower production costs, and an expanding middle class that is creating greater demand for high-end products. India’s growth, on the other hand, requires investments in 21st century infrastructure and technological expertise, both of which Tokyo can help provide. For example, Delhi intends to spend $1 trillion on infrastructure projects over the next five years, and hopes to finance 40 percent of this with private capital. Similarly, India will require Japan’s technology and investment to help close technological gaps and an infrastructure deficit.
Diplomatically, both countries want international institutions to reflect today’s multi-polarity. They also advocate nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, and hope to prevent the proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destructions and the means to deliver them. Similarly, Tokyo and Delhi share a strong and growing interest in preserving freedom of navigation in the maritime commons, which both are heavily reliant on for their energy imports and trade. They also share an enduring interest in preventing any country from establishing hegemony over the Indo-Pacific region, with China a growing concern for both countries.
Although there are plenty of reasons for optimism, there are still a number of barriers to advancing Indo-Japanese ties. For example, despite the rapid growth of economic ties in recent years, Japanese investors are not completely sold on India’s business climate. Not only do they find it difficult to work through the labyrinthine Indian bureaucracy, but they are also concerned about India’s poor infrastructure, opaque legal and taxation systems, and official corruption. Similarly, civilian nuclear cooperation remains stalled due to India’s refusal to join the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) as a non-nuclear weapon state. This is where Abe’s victory becomes important. Having a pro-India premier in Japan may convince investors who are wary of doing business in India. Likewise, Abe’s LDP victory came at the expense of the anti-nuclear parties, and Abe can be expected to push for a civilian nuclear agreement with India, much as countries like the U.S., Russia, Canada, and South Korea have done, and others like Australia are now in the process of doing.
Perhaps security will encounter the fewest impediments. Both countries share concerns over China’s maritime behavior and freedom of navigation. While both have powerful navies, neither is strong enough alone to secure the maritime commons and thus has an interest in reliable partners. India’s navy and coast guard cannot monitor all the Sea Lines of Communication (SLOC) traffic that transits the Strait of Malacca through to the Persian Gulf, so it requires interstate cooperation to handle challenges in waters near India as well as SLOCs farther away. While Japan’s navy does not operate in Indian waters (it’s legally able to defend up to 1,000 nautical miles from Japan), under special legislation it participates in limited anti-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden. They benefit from each other’s surveillance, and have begun holding joint naval exercises. Greater cooperation in these efforts do not face any great constraints, which is important given that cooperation will help them hedge against unpredictable futures.
Because of his enthusiasm for stronger relations with Japan in India, Abe’s win provides a unique opportunity for the two great powers to expand their cooperation. With few obstacles standing in the way, we soon could be witnessing a flourishing of Indo-Japan bilateral ties.
Jeffrey W. Hornung is an Associate Professor at the Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies in Honolulu, HI and an Adjunct Fellow with the Office of the Japan Chair at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, D.C. The views expressed in this article are his alone.
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thomas
its a welcome news,a total shift of japanese manufacturing plant from china to india and other southeast countries is goodchina is now becoming an irresponsible nation as their wealth grows,intimidation,bullying and aggressive stance is now being projected in their foreign policy.trade is what drives a countries economy and with that a good friendly attitude with your trading partner must come along which china now dont follow.we must always remember that the world have live and prosper while china is in seclusion.
Devdas
Basically, India is spineless. It can't even handle a tiny adversary like Pakistan when its jihadi terrorists attacked Mumbai on 26/11. How can they hope to counter an emerging hostile super power like China? If China attacks India, it will never ever defend itself with its ill-equipped army and poorly trained soldiers. Corrupt army officers, politicians, and an inefficient administration all will betray the Indians.
sameer soz
devdas……..i think u r not aware of historical facts…..but let me reveal again …..1) india defeted pakistan in 1965 2) Then dis-membered it in 1971 with bangladesh emerging as a seprate nation.
Now coming to what u have stated yes india can act & should act but surely in responsible manner & as for china ………welll time will tell as to how many friends China is creating with it's "peaceful rise" to power as of now what i see ………….china has problems with very powerful neighbours like Japan, South Korea & Taiwan with rising problems with vietnam (vietnam defeted china – if u are aware then very good) philipines, malasia etc (list is growing by the day) …..not to forget ao called. Superpower US. So, don't think like 1962 china can walk into "Nuclear India" (same threat is always given by pakistani military & politician when talking about india & kashmir). So this mis-adventure may cost china hugely as militarility yes china is rising but difference is not much, may be higher in numbers but indian military is much better offesnsive trained force in the world after US
Iswardi
With more Japanese companies exploiting the abundant labour in India, it would be a great move which allows Japan to offset the serious effects of a shrinking Japanese workforce and at the same time, prevent Japan from being forced to bring foreign migrants into its country to stop its population decline. The Japanese are not really open to foreign migrants to its country unlike Europe or America and this a good way to avoid it by simply encouraging its companies to find low-wage and supplementary labour abroad.
davida
"Diplomatically, both countries want international institutions to reflect today’s multi-polarity." really? that might be the case with India being a member of non-alignment organisation. but japan? he must have mistaken the polyp up his colon during his colonoscopy exam for a fart. because i just cant stop laughing.
madman!
sadly the world is run with money and power :-p and people helping people just cus they can is not gonna happen for atleast a 1000 years :-D . why do people want to fight for land and resources. invest on space travel and there is a whole galaxy of resources out there :-). just a thought :-D
Anon
I really hope India gets to MILK Japan for all it's worth, but be careful to check all generous "donations" with a Geiger counter…
nirvana
@Anon,
Sure, China can teach India how to do this.
co-nirvana
India does not need anyone to teach itself what to do. It can search for answers from within. But for commentors like you, don't shoot too quickly from the mouth.
Alpha roger
Anon
Jealous, that Japan has trimmed its ODA” donation to China?
Anon
Jealous…hahahaha….no, just deliriously happy for India that Japan will be spending the next few years and trillions of yen developing India's infrastructure, roads, rails, ports, airports, etc., and then facing down rioting Indians workers the likes of those who ran amok during the notorious Gujarat massacre. Go India! Go Japan!
Alpha roger
Hey anon
I know Beijing and shanghai were built in a day. Sorry India doesn’t have 1300 million prisoners. Else India would build über beijings and uber shanghai and infrastructure overnight. Stupid Indians like their freedoms and log cabins they themselves built. Alternatively they will have china or Japan build these things for them as they contemplate on higher things of life like education and research…their own, not stolen.
James
India is a recipient on Japanese ODA? How these broke countries continue to fund development is other nations is beyond me. I realise the there’s gain to be had in long term stable relationships and the creation of business interests, but Japan like so many has no money to give away, it all borrowed.
Jean-Paul
They continue to fund development because they are not broke at all. The definition of being broke is being insolvent and not being able to pay off your debts because you no longer have the revenue or assets to do so. Japan has a massive amount of savings that it can use to borrow off and their revenue is more than enough to pay the interest on the money they borrow.
Please tell me, how can a broke country still have one of the highest credit ratings in the world? How can a broke country be #3 in GDP?
nirvana
Perhaps you didn't know that China is also a recipient of Japan's ODA, at least until 2011.
see: http://thediplomat.com/tokyo-notes/2011/03/03/japan-to-slash-china-aid/
Alpha roger
Sorry Japan has demoted you on its recipient list. But hey some dollar is better than none
Anon
Lots of fake "Chinese" on this site. Quite funny actually. Japan and India should embrace each other, and here's hoping that Japan sinks massive investments into India. :) Meanwhile, the SCO, anchored by Russia and China, will be the BIGGEST EURASIAN power, with the largest population, the most efficient manufacturing, the richest natural resources, and the best technology. I am so glad Japan's fate is finally thrown into the indebted and barely developed countries.
Alpha roger
Anon
The only serious development china has seen in 2500 years is Indian export of Buddha . Only other development is proliferating prisons that manufacture prisoners about a million of whom are buried under the Great Wall of china. More power to you bud