India-Japan 2+2 Foreign and Defence Ministerial Meeting

23-08-2024

India and Japan recently conducted their third 2+2 Foreign and Defence Ministerial Meeting in New Delhi. The meeting, held against the backdrop of increasing geopolitical tensions and China's assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific, focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation and addressing key strategic issues.

Key Highlights:

Commitment to a Free and Open Indo-Pacific:
1. Both nations reiterated their dedication to maintaining a free, open, and rules-based Indo-Pacific.
2. This commitment is driven by concerns over China's growing military presence in the region.
3. Support was expressed for ASEAN’s unity and centrality, aligning with the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP), which emphasizes ASEAN’s role in regional stability and adherence to the United Nations Charter.
Strengthening Defence and Security Cooperation:
1. Defence cooperation was emphasized as a crucial pillar of the Special Strategic and Global Partnership between India and Japan.
2. Japan’s National Security Strategy, updated in 2022, has further reinforced bilateral defence relations.
3. Progress in multilateral exercises such as Veer Guardian (2023), Dharma Guardian (military), JIMEX (naval), SHINYUU Maitri (air force), and Malabar (with Australia and the US) was highlighted.
4. Advancements in unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) and robotics were noted.
5. The 2008 Joint Declaration will be revised and updated to reflect contemporary security challenges and align with the evolving global security landscape.
Tackling Terrorism and Extremism:
1. Both countries condemned terrorism and violent extremism, with a focus on cross-border terrorism.
2. The meeting emphasized bringing perpetrators of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks to justice and eliminating terrorist safe havens, financing channels, and halting the movement of terrorists.
3. Specific mention was made of groups such as Al Qaeda, ISIS/Daesh, Lashkar-e-Tayyiba (LeT), and Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM).
Technological Collaboration:
1. Discussions included the transfer of Japan’s Unified Complex Radio Antenna (UNICORN), which integrates multiple antennas to minimize radar signatures and enhance situational awareness.
2. Japan’s UNICORN system can detect missiles and drones over a wide area.
3. Both nations agreed to explore opportunities for Japanese naval ship maintenance in India and further defence technology cooperation.
Women, Peace, and Security (WPS):
1. Both countries emphasized the importance of women’s roles in peacekeeping operations.
2. Support was given to the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda, formalized by UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325, which highlights the critical roles of women in conflict prevention, resolution, peacebuilding, and post-conflict recovery.

What is 2+2 Meetings:

2+2 meetings are high-level diplomatic dialogues involving the foreign and defence ministers of two countries. They provide a platform for in-depth discussions on strategic, security, and defence issues, aiming to enhance bilateral relations and address mutual concerns.

India’s 2+2 Partners:

United States: The first 2+2 dialogue occurred in 2018, focusing on deepening strategic cooperation.
Russia: The inaugural meeting with Russia took place in 2021, discussing a multipolar world order.
Australia, Japan, Brazil, and the United Kingdom: India has engaged in 2+2 dialogues with these countries to strengthen defence and security cooperation and align on a multipolar world order.

Significance of ASEAN for India and Japan:

For India: ASEAN is vital for its Act East policy, enhancing trade, connectivity, and regional influence. India participates in infrastructure projects and economic agreements to strengthen ties and ensure maritime security in crucial sea lanes.
For Japan: ASEAN is a major trade partner and investment destination. Japan leverages its economic presence through development aid and infrastructure projects and is a signatory to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), enhancing economic ties with ASEAN.

What is ASEAN?

ASEAN, or the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, is an intergovernmental organization that unites 10 Southeast Asian countries for political and economic purposes: Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Brunei, Thailand, Myanmar, The Philippines, Cambodia, Singapore, and Malaysia.

Evolution of India-Japan Relations

Early Exchanges

Historical Connection: The relationship between Japan and India dates back to the 6th century with the introduction of Buddhism to Japan. This period saw significant Indian cultural and philosophical influences reaching Japan.

Post-World War II Relations

Symbolic Gesture (1949): Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru donated an elephant to Ueno Zoo in Tokyo, symbolizing the renewal of ties after World War II.
Diplomatic Relations (1952): Japan and India signed a peace treaty and established diplomatic relations, marking one of Japan’s first post-war treaties.
Economic Support: Post-WWII, Japan's recovery was supported by Indian iron ore. Starting in 1958, Japan began providing yen loans to India, aiding its development.

Strategic Partnerships

Global Partnership (2000s): The relationship evolved into a "Global Partnership" in the 2000s, culminating in a "Special Strategic and Global Partnership" in 2014. This designation highlighted the deepening bilateral ties.
Japan and India Vision 2025 (2015): This framework was established to guide future cooperation between the two countries.

Key Areas of Cooperation

Defence and Security Cooperation:
1. Joint Declaration on Security Cooperation (2008): Laid the foundation for security dialogues and 2+2 meetings.
2. Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA, 2020): Facilitates reciprocal provision of supplies and services between the defence forces of both nations.
Economic Relations:
1. Trade and Investment: Japan was India’s 13th largest trading partner and 5th largest investor as of 2021.
2. Key Initiatives:
  - India-Japan Industrial Competitiveness Partnership
  - Clean Energy Partnership
3. Sister-City Relationships: The 2019 MoU formalized a sister-city relationship between Ahmedabad and Kobe, building on a 2016 MoU establishing a sister-state relationship between Gujarat and Hyogo Prefecture.
4. Increased Investment: Japan pledged 5 trillion yen (approximately USD 42 billion) in 2023 to invest in India over the next five years.
5. Official Development Assistance (ODA): India is the largest recipient of Japanese ODA, with significant projects including the Delhi Metro and the High-Speed Railway initiative. In FY 2022, Japanese assistance included 567.5 billion yen in loans, grants, and technical cooperation.
Cultural Exchanges:
1. Year of Japan-India Friendly Exchanges (2017): Designated to promote cultural and people-to-people ties.
2. Japan-Southwest Asia Exchange Year (2022): Highlighted Japan’s commitment to strengthening ties with India and other Southwest Asian countries.

Historical Note

Indian National Army (INA) (1942-1943): Captain Mohan Singh formed the INA with Indian POWs seeking independence from British rule with Japanese aid. Disputes led to the INA’s dissolution by December 1942. In July 1943, Subhas Chandra Bose reorganized it into the Azad Hind Fauj, combining former INA soldiers with Indian volunteers.

Key Facts About Japan

Geography: Japan is an island nation in East Asia, located in the Pacific Ocean. It comprises five main islands (Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, Kyushu, and Okinawa) and nearly 4,000 smaller ones.
Location: Lies east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea, and Russia. It stretches from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south.
Name Origin: The characters in Japan’s name mean "sun-origin," leading to its nickname, "Land of the Rising Sun."
Topography: Japan is mountainous, with the Japanese Alps running down Honshu and Mount Fuji being the highest peak. It experiences frequent earthquakes and has about 200 volcanoes, lying along the Ring of Fire.
Government: Japan has a parliamentary government with a constitutional monarchy. The Emperor is the ceremonial head of state and head of the Imperial Family.