Brief Context
In News India and Japan have formally agreed to deepen maritime relations, reaffirming their shared commitment to regional cooperation in the maritime sector. Key Highlights of Maritime Cooperation Smart Islands and Renewable Energy: Japan has extended support to develop Andaman Nicobar and Lakshadweep Islands into smart, green islands using renewable energy, disaster-resilient infrastructure, and sustainable maritime ecosystems. Port Digitisation and Emission Reduction: The two sides have agree
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Syllabus: GS2/ International Relations
In News
- India and Japan have formally agreed to deepen maritime relations, reaffirming their shared commitment to regional cooperation in the maritime sector.
Key Highlights of Maritime Cooperation
- Smart Islands and Renewable Energy: Japan has extended support to develop Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep Islands into smart, green islands using renewable energy, disaster-resilient infrastructure, and sustainable maritime ecosystems.
- Port Digitisation and Emission Reduction: The two sides have agreed on using digital technologies in port operations to enhance efficiency, reduce logistical costs, and minimise carbon emissions. This aligns with India’s smart port initiative.
- Employment and Skilling of Seafarers: With over 1.54 lakh trained Indian seafarers, Japan has expressed interest in recruiting Indian maritime professionals to meet its skilled labour shortage in the maritime sector.
- Investment in Maritime Infrastructure: Japan’s Imabari Shipbuilding is proposing a greenfield shipyard project in Andhra Pradesh, reflecting Japan’s intent to bolster India’s domestic shipbuilding capacity, vital for its Maritime India Vision 2030.
- R&D and Technology Transfer: Enhanced cooperation in next-generation ship design, sustainable maritime technologies, and joint R&D through Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) is on the agenda. This includes clean fuel vessels and automation in shipbuilding.
Significance of the Maritime Agreement
- Strategic Leverage: Strengthens India’s position in Indo-Pacific maritime security and port logistics.
- Green Shipping: Supports India’s vision of carbon-neutral maritime logistics, in sync with Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047.
- Employment Creation: Utilises India’s skilled maritime workforce to plug labour gaps in Japan. Indian seafarers account for nearly 10% of the global maritime workforce.
- Technology Advancement: Facilitates transfer of clean, smart maritime technologies, bolstering India’s innovation base.
Overview of India–Japan Relations
- Foundation:
- Historical and Cultural Links: Relations are rooted in ancient cultural exchanges, particularly the shared heritage of Buddhism. Figures like Swami Vivekananda, Rabindranath Tagore, and Justice Radha Binod Pal have played roles in fostering connections.
- Post-WWII Treaty: India was one of the first countries to sign a peace treaty with Japan after World War II in 1952, waiving all reparation claims, signifying an early foundation of goodwill.
- Strategic Partnership:
- Indo-Pacific Vision: Both nations share the vision of a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific” (FOIP) and “Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI),” crucial for regional peace, stability, and prosperity.
- Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad): India and Japan are key members of the Quad, alongside the United States and Australia, which aims to promote security and stability in the Indo-Pacific.
- Supply Chain Resilience Initiative (SCRI): They work together under the SCRI framework to diversify supply chains and reduce reliance on single sources, particularly to counter China’s dominance.
- Defense Cooperation: This includes joint military exercises (e.g., JIMEX, Dharma Guardian), 2+2 dialogues (ministerial-level discussions), and agreements like the Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA) for logistics support. There’s a growing focus on co-production of defense equipment, such as the UNICORN mast system.
- Economic Engagement:
- Growing Trade: Japan’s bilateral trade with India totaled US$ 22.85 billion during FY 2023-24.
- Investment Target: Japan aims for five trillion-yen (Rs 3.2 lakh crore) in public and private investment and financing in India by 2027. Japan is the fifth-largest source of FDI in India, with over 1,400 Japanese companies operating there.
- Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA): Signed in 2011, CEPA aims to strengthen bilateral trade, though challenges remain in fully leveraging it.
- Official Development Assistance (ODA): Japan has been India’s largest bilateral donor since 1958, supporting major infrastructure and development projects.
- Infrastructure Development:
- Flagship Projects: Japan is a crucial partner in major infrastructure projects, notably the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (Bullet Train) and metro systems in various Indian cities (e.g., Delhi, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai).
- North-East Development: Japan actively invests in infrastructure development in India’s Northeast region, aligning with India’s Act East Policy, focusing on road networks, bridges, and urban infrastructure.
- Partnership for Quality Infrastructure: This Japanese model emphasizes high-quality and sustainable infrastructure.
- Energy and Technology Collaboration:
- Civil Nuclear Agreement (2017): Facilitates cooperation in civil nuclear energy.
- Space Collaboration: Joint projects like the Lunar Polar Exploration Mission by ISRO and JAXA.
- Technology Transfer: Efforts to promote Japanese environmental technologies and sustainable practices in Indian industries.
- People-to-People Ties:
- Skill Development: Programs like the Technical Intern Training Programme (TITP) and Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) facilitate the supply of skilled Indian manpower to Japan’s aging economy.
- Cultural Exchange: Continued exchanges rooted in Buddhism, academic programs, and growing youth engagement.
Source: PIB