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India-Japan 2+2 Dialogue

Recently, the 2+2 ministerial dialogue was held between India & Japan.

Why in the News?

Recently, the 2+2 ministerial dialogue was held between India & Japan.

Key Points:

About

Key Outcomes

India-Japan 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue

  • Both Countries expressed their:
    •  Strong support for ASEAN’s unity and centrality and their full support for the “ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP).
    • Commitment to a rules-based global order
    • Commitment to a common strategic goal of achieving a free and open Indo-Pacific.
    • Agreement to launch the Joint Service Staff talks between the Japan Joint Staff and the Indian Integrated Defence Staff.

Convergence of  Interests: India and Japan

  • India-Japan are constituent members of the G-4 grouping.
  • Both countries have faced difficulties in recent times in their relationship with China due to latter confronted policies.
  • India-Japan envisages making the Indo-pacific multipolar, free, open, and inclusive.
  • India and Japan share common ideals like democracy, the rule of law, and human rights, in addition to the prevalence of complementarities that bind their economies.
  • India is a big market for Japanese companies while in turn, Japanese companies bring investment to India boosting infrastructure and employment creation.

Challenges:

    • Trade Potential: The trade potential between India and Japan has not realized its potential.
  • For Example, in 2017-18  the bilateral stood at a meagre of $15.71 billion between India-Japan as compared to the Sino-Indian bilateral trade insane period which stood at $84.44 billion in spite of the political tensions.
  • Diverging Interests: India- Japan have divergent interests on economic issues such as  Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership.
  • Balancing  Act between QUAD and BRICS: India is a member of groups like the BRICS and QUAD. 

What are ‘2+2 talks’?

  • ‘2+2 talks’ is a term adopted in foreign diplomacy that implies a dialogue between two countries defence and external affairs ministries.
  • It enables the partners to better understand and appreciate each other’s strategic concerns and sensitivities taking into account political factors on both sides.
  • It helps to build a stronger, more integrated strategic relationship in a rapidly changing global environment.
  • India has 2+2 dialogues with four key strategic partners: 
    •  USA
    • Australia
    • Japan
    •  Russia

Way Forward:

  • India’s emergence as the fifth-largest as well as the fastest-growing economy in the world will definitely ensure further growth in strategic ties with Japan.
  • Both Japan and India must exploit their natural complementarities: 
    •  Japan is a “hard” power with manufacturing prowess. India is “soft” power in IT and services. 
    • Japan is short of the natural resources which India has. Japan has the capital. India has skilled labour. 
    • Japan seeks markets. India has a flourishing huge domestic market.