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India–Japan Relations: A Strategic Partnership Shaping the Future of the Indo-Pacific
India–Japan Relations: A Strategic Partnership Strengthening Global Stability
Context: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ongoing visit to Japan (August 2025) underscores the growing strategic and economic importance of the India–Japan partnership. With discussions on critical minerals, defence technology, and major Japanese investments in India, the visit highlights how both nations are deepening ties to ensure supply chain resilience and stability in the Indo-Pacific amid rising Chinese assertiveness.
Why is Japan important to India?
- Economic & Infrastructure Partner: Japan is India’s 5th largest FDI source ($43.2 billion since 2000). Flagship projects include the Mumbai–Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail, Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor, and Metro networks, largely supported through JICA loans.
- Technology & Supply Chains: The India–Japan Semiconductor Partnership (2023) and Supply Chain Resilience Initiative (2021) with Australia aim to diversify away from China.
- Defence Cooperation: Participation in Malabar, Dharma Guardian and joint defence R&D (UNICORN) enhances India’s Indo-Pacific security posture.
- Case Study: According to the Economic Survey 2022-23, Japanese investments in smart cities and green energy have accelerated India’s urban transformation.
Why is India important to Japan?
- Market & Workforce: India’s large consumer base and youthful demography complement Japan’s ageing society and shrinking workforce.
- Strategic Geography: India provides Japan a crucial partner in the Indian Ocean Region, securing maritime supply chains threatened by Chinese assertiveness.
- Energy & Resources: India’s role as a source of rare earths and critical minerals aligns with Japan’s need to diversify away from Chinese dependence.
- Cultural Linkages: Buddhism, shared historical ties (e.g., Justice Radha Binod Pal’s dissent at the Tokyo Tribunal), and people-to-people exchanges strengthen soft power diplomacy.
How can India–Japan relations prove essential in the current world order?
- Indo-Pacific Stability: Both nations advocate a Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP), ensuring freedom of navigation and rules-based order. Their cooperation complements Quad efforts alongside the US and Australia.
- Balancing China: Shared concerns over Chinese aggression (South China Sea, Senkaku Islands, Arunachal Pradesh) make the partnership strategically vital.
- Global Governance Reform: Collaboration in G4 (India, Japan, Germany, Brazil) pushes for UN Security Council reforms.
- Sustainability & Climate: Joint efforts in renewable energy and Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) contribute to global climate resilience (Down to Earth, 2023).
