India-Japan Defence Policy Dialogue

The 7th India-Japan Defence Policy Dialogue was held in New Delhi; both nations agreed to enhance bilateral cooperation further.

Today marked the 7th India-Japan Defense Policy Dialogue in New Delhi. A wide range of problems was discussed during the meeting.
It included discussions about service-level exercises and engagements, regional security issues, and cooperation in defence equipment and technology.
Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane and Vice Minister of Defence for Foreign Affairs Oka Masami co-chaired the meeting.
The Japanese Vice Minister also provided policy updates from the country’s recently announced National Security Policy and National Defense Strategy.
According to the Defence Ministry, both countries value the expanding cooperation between the Services through staff meetings and exercises.

About
- The Defence Policy Dialogue is a formalised platform for India and Japan to explore bilateral defence cooperation.
- The meeting examines various problems concerning the two countries’ defence cooperation.
- The two countries discussed service-level drills and engagements, regional security problems, and defence equipment and technology cooperation.
- The Japanese Vice Minister provided policy updates from their recently issued National Security and National Defense Strategies.
- Both countries praised the improved cooperation between the Services due to staff meetings and exercises.
- They hosted the first-ever fighter exercise, ‘Veer Guardian,’ between the Indian Air Force.
- The Japanese Air Self-Defense Force in Japan in January 2023.
- The Defence Secretary highlighted that both countries should strive to expand collaboration between their respective defence sectors.
- Japanese defence businesses have been invited to invest in India through the ‘Make in India’ initiative.
- Both parties agreed to broaden their cooperation in new and developing areas such as defence space and cyber.

Defence Cooperation
- India and Japan’s defence forces also organise a series of bilateral exercises such as:
  - JIMEX (naval), Malabar exercise (Naval Exercise), ‘Veer Guardian’ and SHINYUU Maitri (Air Force), and Dharma Guardian (Army).
Common Groupings
- India and Japan are both members of the Quad, G20, and G-4, as well as the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER).
- In 2017, the India-Japan Act East Forum was launched.
- It intends to serve as a forum for India-Japan collaboration under India’s “Act East Policy” and Japan’s “Free and Open Indo-Pacific Strategy.“
Investment and ODA
- India has been the largest recipient of Japanese Official Development Assistance (ODA) loans for decades.
- The Delhi Metro is among the most compelling examples of Japanese cooperation under ODA.
- The Japan International Cooperation Agency funds India’s Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC) project with a soft loan.
- Japan and India have agreed to construct high-speed railways in India.

China Factor
- While both countries have worked to enhance their ties to counter China’s influence, their tactics for dealing with China have been quite different.
- India has been more vociferous in its criticism of China’s conduct, whilst Japan has been more cautious.
Defence Exports
- India is interested in exporting defence equipment to other countries, which might compete with Japan’s exports.
Influence of US-China Rivalry
- The escalation of the Sino-American rivalry contributes to the disruption of Indo-Pacific regional security.

India and Japan must rethink their military strategies and capitalise on their shared desire to prevent the establishment of a securing hegemony in the Indo-Pacific (US and China).
Increased engagement and cooperation can benefit both countries. There is also a lot of potential in terms of Made in India.
Japanese digital technology might use Indian raw resources and labour to form joint ventures.

Pic Courtesy: freepik

Content Source: News on Air