Japan PM Kishida Visits India For The Annual India-Japan Summit

 An opportunity to review progress made in Indo-Japan Relation

Fumio Kishida, the Prime Minister of Japan, recently visited New Delhi for the annual India-Japan Summit and met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The meeting has been viewed as a significant advancement in the relations between the two countries given that Japan will be hosting the G7 Conference the following month. The two prime ministers will discuss a variety of issues, but one of the primary ones will be how the G20 and G7 nations can work closely together to address significant global issues.

The Agenda of PM Kishida’s Visit to India

PM Kishida discussed the recent G20 summit as well as the upcoming G7, QUAD, and SCO summits during the annual summit. How the two leaders were able to compromise on their stances on the Ukraine war remained a key topic of debate because the G-20 summit, which will be hosted by India in September of this year, will be impacted by the G-7 and QUAD summit communiqué. One of the main goals of this tour was to limit China's expanding aggressiveness in the area and provide developing nations with additional options for security and development. With PM Modi, PM Kishida addressed the Indo-Pacific strategy and asked for help from India in putting it into action. A significant speech on the Indo-Pacific policy and its updated defence posture was given by PM Kishida. Shinzo Abe, a former Japanese prime minister, previously discussed this issue while visiting India. At the yearly Summit, the Ukraine crisis was also discussed, since Japan has been advocating for increased sanctions against Russia. India has increased its purchases of Russian oil while refraining from overtly criticising Russia for the conflict and supporting diplomacy and communication to end it. Converging interests on important global issues, such as food and health security, energy transitions, and economic stability were the focus of the visit.

The Evolution of Indo-Japan Relation

In the years 2000, 2006, and 2014, the status of India and Japan's relations was changed to "Global Partnership," "Strategic and Global Partnership," and "Special Strategic and Global Partnership," respectively. Since 2006, both nations have had yearly summits on a regular basis. Although both New Delhi and Tokyo are currently in charge of the G20 and G7 Presidency, respectively, now is an important opportunity to engage on a bilateral level since India and Japan had their final summit in March 2022.

Area of Cooperation Between India and Japan

India holds a 2+2 Foreign and Defense Ministerial Conference and an Annual Summit with Japan, a very important partner. Together with Australia and the US, New Delhi and Tokyo are also members of the Quadrilateral Strategic Dialogue (QUAD). Talks among the participating nations uphold a Strategic Security Dialogue involving Australia, India, Japan, and the US. The Quad prioritises cooperating with regional allies who support a free and open Indo-Pacific. Also, one of the primary areas of collaboration has developed as the two countries' defence cooperation. Defence and security, trade and investment, science and technology, education, healthcare, and essential and emerging technologies are just a few of the many areas of cooperation between the two nations. During Kishida's visit to India, the two nations can collaborate on shared interests related to important global issues like energy transitions, economic stability, and food and health security.

The Way Forward of Indo-Japan Relation

This year's G-20 and G-7 chaired by Japan and India, respectively, are in a crucial position to keep all problems on the table for debate. Even as Mr. Kishida dwelt on how he believed India was indispensable to Japan's plan of opposing the use of force, defending the rule of law, and fostering connectivity, their invitation to one another to the summits they host is further evidence of how the current tide has brought them together in a common cause. Mr. Kishida travelled from New Delhi to Kyiv through Warsaw as part of his G-7 responsibilities, possibly implying that even if India and Japan disagree on Russia, they have similar strategic goals. As he unveiled Japan’s $75 billion plan for the "Free and Open Indo-Pacific Plan for Peace" at the Sapru House Lecture hosted by the Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA), PM Kishida is anticipated to carry on his predecessor Shinzo Abe's policy of closely collaborating with India on security and development throughout the Indo-Pacific.