Recent Japan PM’s meeting with the U.S. can be seen as a preview for the upcoming Japan PM visit to India.
What were the talks between U.S. and Japan?
The crux of the discussionsrevolved around China and agenda was set for the wider Indo-Pacific engagement of Japan.
Both the countries negotiated on their joint security partnership for addressing China’s territorial disputes in the South and East China Seas and in the Taiwan Strait.
They affirmed the centrality of their treaty alliance-long source of stability in East Asia and pledged to stand up to China in key regions such as the disputed Senkaku Islands and Taiwan.
They also discussed on Chinese ambitions to dominate the development of new age technologies such as 5G and quantum computing.
They earmarked billions in funding for the deployment of secure 5G networks, committed to build digital infrastructure in developing countries and collaborate in setting global digital standards.
They want China to reform economic practices such as violations of intellectual property rights, forced technology transfer, excess capacity issues, and the use of trade distorting industrial subsidies.
They emphasised their vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific that respects the rule of law, freedom of navigation, democratic norms and the use of peaceful means to settle disputes.
What India can expect from Japan?
First, India can expect a continuation of the balancing security policy against China that began in 2014.
Crucially, India’s clashes with China in Galwan have turned public opinion in favour of a more confrontational China policy.
Both nations will affirm for a Free and Open Indo-Pacific and continued willingness to work with the Quad.
Second, they will look to expand cooperation in sectors such as cybersecurity and emerging technologies.
Earlier both the nations put forward a digital research and innovation partnership that included technologies like AI, 5G, Internet of Things and space research.
With the U.S.-Japan summit, they might look to deepen cooperation between research institutes and expand funding in light of China’s aforementioned technology investment programme.
Third, economic ties and infrastructure development are likely to be top items on the agendas of the upcoming meeting.
Japan has poured in around $34 billion in investments into the Indian economy in the last two decades and it is India’s 12th largest trading partner.
But the trade volumes between the two nations stand at just a fifth of the value of India-China bilateral trade.
After the summit, Japan’s will reaffirm support for key manufacturing initiatives such as Make in Indi’ and the Japan Industrial Townships.
Further, India will be keen to secure continued infrastructure investments in the strategically vital connectivity projects in the Northeast and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Also the upcoming India-Japan summit would devote much attention to evolving a joint strategy towards key third countries and multilateral bodies.
