India-Japan relations: A perfect example of mutual cooperation for inclusive growth

BY ANWARUL HODA

India and Japan are two most capable nation in Asia region to respond any economic or political challenges in the region or in world affairs. The modern relations between both the countries are guided by mutual cooperation for the inclusive development.

The modern relations with Japan began in 1949 when India sent two elephants to Tokyo zoo to cheer the spirit of the defeated Japanese empire. In the same spirit again in 1951, India refused to attend the San Francisco Peace Conference due to its concerns over the limitations imposed upon Japanese sovereignty and national independence.

Carrying the same ethos of togetherness further, India and Japan signed a peace treaty and officially establish the diplomatic relations on 28 April 1952. India helped Japan in recovering from the Second World War disaster. And since then the trade, economic and political relations of both the country remain warm till date.

Official visits from both the sides have been usual routine to boost collaboration and coordination. In the year 1958 Japan for the first time extended the loan in yen to India and since then remain one highest aid donor. Japan is also involved in various economic projects and currently, shares the large portion in FDI inflow to the Indian economy.

Japan’s help in building Delhi Metro is notably recognized. Japan also invited Indian fellows to join the country’s zealous education program, JET is starting with just one slot available in 2006 which increased 41 in 2007.

On August 2000, the Japanese Prime Minister visited India. At this meeting, Japan and India agreed to establish “Japan-India Global Partnership in the 21st Century.” Later In December 2006, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s visit to Japan culminated in the signing of the “Joint Statement Towards Japan-India Strategic and Global Partnership”. Meanwhile, between the period of 2000-2006 Prime Minister Vajpayee and Prime Minister Koizumi visited each other’s country. The bilateral trade expected to reach US$50 billion by 2019-20.

Besides this, in the year 2015 India and Japan signed an agreement to build a Bullet train line between Mumbai and Ahmedabad using Japan’s Shinkansen technology. The massive project will be built with the cost of £12bn.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also like his predecessors put the effort in building a healthier relationship and invited Prime Minister Abe as the chief guest of the 2014 Republic Day Parade. He himself visited Japan twice in his tenure. In fact in his second visit in 2016 signed a historic deal on nuclear energy which will help India in building the six nuclear reactors planned in the country by 2032.

The year 2007 was declared “India-Japan Friendship Year. With the mutual help, both the countries, strengthening their economic ties to suspend China’s influence in Asia as well. The bitter relations were also felt especially in the period of 1980s and during 1998. However, it will be interesting to see how the both countries grow in changing world order.