Sansad TV Perspective: 2nd India-Japan 2+2 Dialogue

In the series Sansad TV Perspective, we bring you an analysis of the discussion featured on the insightful programme ‘Perspective’ on Sansad TV, on various important topics affecting India and also the world. This analysis will help you immensely for the IAS exam, especially the mains exam, where a well-rounded understanding of topics is a prerequisite for writing answers that fetch good marks.

In this article, we feature the discussion on the topic: 2nd India-Japan 2+2 Dialogue.

Anchor: Teena Jha

Guests:

1.     Prof. Rajaram Panda, Senior Fellow, Nehru Memorial Museum & Library,
2.     Maj. Gen. (Retd.) Sanjay Meston, Strategic Analyst
3.     Dr. Sheel Kant Sharma, Former Ambassador

Context:  The second India-Japan 2+2 ministerial dialogue took place in Tokyo.

Highlights of the discussion:

• Introduction.
• India- Japan relations
• Areas of cooperation between India and Japan
• Significance of 2+2 dialog

Introduction:

• The Defence Ministers and the Foreign Affairs Ministers of both the countries reviewed the bilateral cooperation across domains.
• They also discussed ways to further enhance the Indo-Japan relationship. 
• India and Japan are currently pursuing a special strategic and global partnership. 
• In addition to the 2+2 format dialogue, Defence Ministers of the respective countries also held bilateral talks with each other. The two ministers acknowledged the importance of the India-Japan defence partnership and the critical role it will play in ensuring a free, open, and rules-based Indo-Pacific region.
• It was also reaffirmed that they would continue to promote defence cooperation and exchanges, to further enhance Japan-India Special Strategic and Global Partnership. 

India-Japan relations:

• India and Japan had very congenial and friendly relations even in the past. The bilateral ties are becoming more robust in response to the changes that are occurring in the region.
• Moreover, the former Japanese Prime Minister Late Shinzo Abe has been the key architect in strengthening Japan- India relations.
• The main reasons that are bringing the two countries together are:
  • The militarization of the South China Sea: China has maintained its assertion in ninety percent of the sea, ignoring the claims of the other countries.
  • Development that is taking place in the Taiwan Strait: This has emerged as a new flash point in the region, posing security threats to the littoral countries.
  • The security threat that both nations are facing is due to the territorial expansion and military maneuvering of China. India is facing the threat in the Himalayas and Japan is facing it in the South China sea.
• Apart from the bilateral relations, the two countries are also part of various other multilateral groups like G4, QUAD, G20, etc.
• India and Japan are also members of the Indo-Pacific Economic Cooperation Framework which has been recently set into motion.
• The ways to handle the security issues in foreign policy are Diplomacy dialog and Defence Diplomacy.
• However, various analysts have expressed concern that even though both countries have had defence exchanges for the past two decades, the bilateral security cooperation remains underdeveloped.

For more information on India- Japan relations, read here: India – Japan Relations – BYJU’S

Areas of cooperation between India and Japan:

• The areas of cooperation that were identified during the meeting include:
  • Supply chain resilience
  • Digitization
  • 5G initiatives
  • Energy security
  • Cyber security
  • Maritime security
• As Japan has come out of the old era and looking forward to strong defence and security alliances and partnerships, India is one important player that can help Japan in its endeavour.
• India and Japan have also taken up various defence exercises together like the Malabar exercise, and Dharma- Guardian exercise. There is also a bilateral exercise named JIMEX. 

Significance of the 2+2 Ministerial dialog:

• The meeting reaffirmed and strengthened the shared vision of the two countries in the context of the Indo-Pacific, confluencing on the free, open, inclusive, and rule-based region.
• The stability and security of the Asia- Pacific region were also discussed.
• The formula of 2+2 dialog is unique to the QUAD countries (USA, Japan, Australia, and India). The meetings like these give further impetus to the QUAD arrangements.
• The nitty-gritty of the 2+2 dialog reflects and further strengthens the intensity and depth of cooperation between the two countries.
• The relations are particularly important in the face of assertive China that is focussing on territorial expansion.
• Since 2019, international issues have transformed considerably in terms of geopolitics.
• In the next few years, by doubling its defence budget Japan will become the third largest defence spender bringing new opportunities for India. This would be particularly significant in the field of cutting edge technology, the area that India is also looking up to.

Conclusion:

The relationship between India and Japan is inclusive and multi-layered which is evolving with time. It can reach new heights, particularly pertaining to security aspects. Moreover, to ensure a free, open, inclusive, and rule-based Indo-Pacific both the countries can together play a significant role.

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