India-Japan Partnership: An Anchor in a Shifting Geopolitical Landscape
UPSC Relevance
Prelims: International Relations (Bilateral relations, Groupings like Quad & SCO); Indian Economy (FDI, Infrastructure projects); Science & Technology.
Mains:
General Studies Paper 2: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests; Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests; India and its neighborhood- relations.
Key Highlights from the News
In the changing global political situation, the article argues that Japan is becoming a major anchor partner for India's foreign policy.
The most important aspect of the Prime Minister's upcoming visit to Japan is Japan's plan to invest ¥10 trillion ($68 billion) in India over the next decade.
The main investment areas are infrastructure, manufacturing, clean energy, and technology.
Japan's transfer of its Shinkansen (bullet train) technology to India for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail corridor is proof of technology sharing beyond just economic cooperation.
An understanding has been reached to increase security cooperation between the two countries and ensure diversified supply chains in critical areas such as semiconductors and critical minerals.
In the context of U.S. unpredictability in its policies and ongoing conflict with China, this visit gives great importance to India's policy of strategic balancing.
India's relationship with Japan is based on democratic values and a shared vision of a free, open, and rules-based Indo-Pacific.
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