India and Japan Agrees to Deepen Maritime Relations

General Studies Paper-2

Context

India and Japan have formally agreed to deepen maritime relations, reaffirming their shared commitment to regional cooperation in the maritime sector.

Key Highlights of Maritime Cooperation

• Smart Islands and Renewable Energy: Japan has extended support to develop Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep Islands into smart, green islands using renewable energy, disaster-resilient infrastructure, and sustainable maritime ecosystems.
• Port Digitisation and Emission Reduction: The two sides have agreed on using digital technologies in port operations to enhance efficiency, reduce logistical costs, and minimise carbon emissions. This aligns with India’s smart port initiative.
• Employment and Skilling of Seafarers: With over 1.54 lakh trained Indian seafarers, Japan has expressed interest in recruiting Indian maritime professionals to meet its skilled labour shortage in the maritime sector.
• Investment in Maritime Infrastructure: Japan’s Imabari Shipbuilding is proposing a greenfield shipyard project in Andhra Pradesh, reflecting Japan’s intent to bolster India’s domestic shipbuilding capacity, vital for its Maritime India Vision 2030.
• R&D and Technology Transfer: Enhanced cooperation in next-generation ship design, sustainable maritime technologies, and joint R&D through Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) is on the agenda. This includes clean fuel vessels and automation in shipbuilding.

Significance of the Maritime Agreement

• Strategic Leverage: Strengthens India’s position in Indo-Pacific maritime security and port logistics.
• Green Shipping: Supports India’s vision of carbon-neutral maritime logistics, in sync with Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047.
• Employment Creation: Utilises India’s skilled maritime workforce to plug labour gaps in Japan. Indian seafarers account for nearly 10% of the global maritime workforce.
• Technology Advancement: Facilitates transfer of clean, smart maritime technologies, bolstering India’s innovation base.

Overview of India–Japan Relations

• Foundation:
  • Historical and Cultural Links: Relations are rooted in ancient cultural exchanges, particularly the shared heritage of Buddhism. Figures like Swami Vivekananda, Rabindranath Tagore, and Justice Radha Binod Pal have played roles in fostering connections.
  • Post-WWII Treaty: India was one of the first countries to sign a peace treaty with Japan after World War II in 1952, waiving all reparation claims, signifying an early foundation of goodwill.
• Strategic Partnership:
  • Indo-Pacific Vision: Both nations share the vision of a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific” (FOIP) and “Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI),” crucial for regional peace, stability, and prosperity.
  • Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad): India and Japan are key members of the Quad, alongside the United States and Australia, which aims to promote security and stability in the Indo-Pacific.
  • Supply Chain Resilience Initiative (SCRI): They work together under the SCRI framework to diversify supply chains and reduce reliance on single sources, particularly to counter China’s dominance.
  • Defense Cooperation: This includes joint military exercises (e.g., JIMEX, Dharma Guardian), 2+2 dialogues (ministerial-level discussions), and agreements like the Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA) for logistics support. There’s a growing focus on co-production of defense equipment, such as the UNICORN mast system.
• Economic Engagement:
  • Growing Trade: Japan’s bilateral trade with India totaled US$ 22.85 billion during FY 2023-24.
  • Investment Target: Japan aims for five trillion-yen (Rs 3.2 lakh crore) in public and private investment and financing in India by 2027. Japan is the fifth-largest source of FDI in India, with over 1,400 Japanese companies operating there.
  • Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA): Signed in 2011, CEPA aims to strengthen bilateral trade, though challenges remain in fully leveraging it.
  • Official Development Assistance (ODA): Japan has been India’s largest bilateral donor since 1958, supporting major infrastructure and development projects.
• Infrastructure Development:
  • Flagship Projects: Japan is a crucial partner in major infrastructure projects, notably the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (Bullet Train) and metro systems in various Indian cities (e.g., Delhi, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai).
  • North-East Development: Japan actively invests in infrastructure development in India’s Northeast region, aligning with India’s Act East Policy, focusing on road networks, bridges, and urban infrastructure.
  • Partnership for Quality Infrastructure: This Japanese model emphasizes high-quality and sustainable infrastructure.
• Energy and Technology Collaboration:
  • Civil Nuclear Agreement (2017): Facilitates cooperation in civil nuclear energy.
  • Space Collaboration: Joint projects like the Lunar Polar Exploration Mission by ISRO and JAXA.
  • Technology Transfer: Efforts to promote Japanese environmental technologies and sustainable practices in Indian industries.
• People-to-People Ties:
  • Skill Development: Programs like the Technical Intern Training Programme (TITP) and Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) facilitate the supply of skilled Indian manpower to Japan’s aging economy.
  • Cultural Exchange: Continued exchanges rooted in Buddhism, academic programs, and growing youth engagement.