Japan: From an outsider to India′s key ally

“Nations have no permanent friends or allies, they only have permanent interests.”The India-Japan relationship has been almost a perfect example of the famous quote by the 19th century British Prime Minister Lord Palmerson on foreign policy.A close bilateral relationship between the two countries has been non-existent since India's independence in 1947. During the Cold War, while India was a champion of the Non-Aligned Movement, it was also a signatory to a strategic mutual defence treaty with the Soviet Union while Japan was very much in the US camp.The relationship was limited to formal protocol diplomacy and part of the wider geo-strategic multilateral political process rather than a serious bilateral one. Despite some economic and aid activities, the interests of both countries were divergent and the relationship reflected that.But with the turn of the century it was a different story. Suddenly, India and Japan had common strategic interests alongside the United States.21st Century Global PartnershipWith the advent of the multi-polar world in the early 2000s and the rise of China with not-so-hidden expansionist policies, it quickly dawned upon senior policy-makers in Delhi and Tokyo that it was in the best interest of both countries to have a strategic partnership.Prime Ministers Vajpayee and Mori in 2000-2001 laid the foundation. The latter defined the bilateral relationship as a “global partnership” - a significant step as this was the first time Japan used that particular phrase to define a bilateral relationship other than with the US. Vajpayee's successor, Dr Manmohan Singh, proactively built on the foundations of his predecessor and focused on developing trust between the two countries. All Japanese Prime Ministers during Dr Singh's tenure were excellent partners but Prime Ministers Koizumi and Abe have been the most proactive and vocal.Abe carried that relationship forward with Prime Minister Modi - both men share a close personal relationship and a similar view on Asia's future.The recent signing of the civil nuclear treaty and joint naval exercises reflect the trust that now exists between the two countries and the two incumbent leaders. In fact, both nations are part of the triumvirate strategic partnership with the US that provides the core of the coalition of nations standing together to counter the expansionist policies of China.Economic RelationshipThe economic relationship between the two countries though has not made anywhere near the progress that has been made in the strategic geo-political partnership.

Source: Department of Commerce