Strong ties with Japan for strong ties with China

As the week-long visit of Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko proceeds quietly, and with the sort of choreography and attention to detail that reflects the importance accorded to the visit, it is clear Indo-Japan ties are set to attain a new level altogether. Woven into the tapestry of this historic visit — given that the Japanese royal couple rarely makes overseas trips, and the fact that such visits by the Emperor are carefully-chosen symbolic aspects of Japan’s foreign policy — are wider strategic and economic strands. On the latter, the mutual relationship exists on its own.

Japan is a key factor in India’s ‘Look East’ policy; bilateral trade was over $18 billion (FY 2012-13); Japan is India’s largest bilateral donor; the two have a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement since 2011; and Japan funds big infrastructure projects like the Railways’ dedicated freight corridors and the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor. Yet, there is ample room for more: India makes for only around 4% of Japan’s investments in Asia, and India’s infrastructure thrust would provide a huge market for the goods and services of Japanese companies. Talk of a global, strategic partnership between the two, based on mutual democratic foundations and commitment to peace and stability in Asia also references another shared interest: China. Just before this visit, China declared an “East China Sea Air Defence Identification Zone” as part of its measures in the running dispute over the Senkaku islands (called Diaoyu by China) with Japan.

With US bombers and Japanese and Korean surveillance planes flying over the area in response, the alarming prospect of a confrontation seemed more real. Such territorial tensions underline how Japan sees India — and vice versa — as a counterweight that China also needs to make its inevitable rise truly peaceful. It is for New Delhi to appreciate and communicate clearly to external and internal audiences that stronger, multifaceted ties with Japan are integral, and not inimical, to stronger and sustainable ties with China.