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Japan and India agree to step up security and economic cooperation

29 Comments
By MARI YAMAGUCHI

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China, influence in East and Southeast Asia? Shocking! Who would have thunk it.

Japan's and India's foreign ministers on Thursday agreed to step up security and economic cooperation as the two Asian countries look to boost their ties in the face of China’s growing influence in the region.

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

Good idea, yet India wisely engages Russia in defense spending. By being in BRICS, India can have its cake and eat it too, engage entire world, play both sides, etc. Smart!

-7 ( +0 / -7 )

Great news. India and Japan are highly complementary partners and this is a relationship that will very much grow over the coming decades. Japan is well-respected in India, due to its companies' investment and its development work through JICA.

In the security realm, both countries are Quad partners and share many of the same concerns.

In the economic realm, now that India is really beginning to prosper the partnership can grow to all sorts of areas. India could become the next semi-conductor powerhouse, and Japanese companies, like Renesas and others, will be right in there:

https://spectrum.ieee.org/indian-semiconductor-manufacturing

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Great gift. It is stunningly beautiful. What is it?

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Seriously? Can India be trusted? They get their oil and weapons from Russia. They disregard all of the international sanctions against Russia for attacking Ukraine. When push comes to shove, they will always side with Russia over Japan. They will need Putin to placate China over the border disputes that are becoming more frequent. Japan cannot offer India, anything, except the appearance of friendship and cooperation

0 ( +4 / -4 )

Jaishankar, who is on a three-day visit in Tokyo

Guess it will be sort of a homecoming for Jaishankar since he lived in Japan for 4 years and speaks fluent Japanese.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Guess it will be sort of a homecoming for Jaishankar since he lived in Japan for 4 years and speaks fluent Japanese.

At only four years, it's probably not that "fluent".

People use that word very, very fluidly.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

India is a non-aligned nation and a member of NAM. That means it will trade and have relations in various groups or blocs. For example, it is a founding BRICS member but has its own issues with China, and as such have been inducted into the anti-Beijing "Quad". Russia has enjoyed warm and productive relations with India since it gained independence (and before). They aren't about to hurt themselves economically over a western geopolitical blunder on the other side of the world.

There is no such thing as "international sanctions" on Russia - there are currently, however, unilateral sanctions on behalf of a handful of rich, mainly western countries. Indeed, sanctions are technically illegal done outside of the UN framework, which is what true international sanctions are. As such, India is breaking no "international laws".

Tokyo will need Putin to placate China? They'd better become more friendly then.

Japan wants access to India's emerging and growing economy and to join Tokyo's imaginary alliance against China. But India will not become a shill.

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

Japan's global power fantasy clearly shot given its poorest in G-7 status (lowest GDP per capita) and the world's oldest country that's rapidly depopulating.

Thus, more friends needed, from all corners of the globe. But being a US War Monger 'tool' makes it FAR tougher!!

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

At only four years, it's probably not that "fluent".

People use that word very, very fluidly.

Well since he got married to a Japanese I am guessing it will still be quite fluent whichever way you define the term.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Seriously? Can India be trusted?

The question is whether India can trust these Western nations or not. At the end of the day, they will still look down on India as a third world hellhole and never consider it as one of their own. So why should India cut off its ties with an old friend, unless you think that the West can order all other nations around like they used to.

With Japan however, India shares a special relationship. It does not matter what Japan or Japanese think of India, for India Japan will always be the one Asian nation that, though allied with the West, is a role model and a deserving leader of the Asian people.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

Japan no longer knows who to join in order to get the desired minerals. I’m ready to be friends with everyone if the United States gives permission

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

World building is a skillful project. World leaders and global actors are yet to do justice to their enormous potential.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

When push comes to shove, they will always side with Russia over Japan.

And they will always side with Japan over China.

They will need Putin to placate China over the border disputes that are becoming more frequent. Japan cannot offer India, anything, except the appearance of friendship and cooperation

Or, actual friendship and importantly, support against China.

Sooner or later India will face a choice. Stick with Russia for cheap oil and gas, plus shoddy weapons and put up with China and its shenanigans, or go all in with the west who will provide modern weapons systems, admittedly more pricey than Russian gear, but also better quality. And get the support it craves in dealing with China.

There are many nations that tried to juggle trade with China versus security with the west. Sooner or later all must make their choice, and have.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

The title should read “ Japan and India agree on giving hardworking Japanese taxpayers money to India under the disguise of investment and aid! “

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

The title should read “ Japan and India agree on giving hardworking Japanese taxpayers money to India under the disguise of investment and aid! “

Or even "Japan steps up as a modern nation and player on the world stage, outraging extremist isolationist right-wingers".

2 ( +4 / -2 )

@Peter14 Now this is an interesting theory. Please proceed with examples, Sensei.

-5 ( +0 / -5 )

EvilBuddhaMar. 8 12:51 pm JST

Seriously? Can India be trusted?

The question is whether India can trust these Western nations or not. At the end of the day, they will still look down on India as a third world hellhole and never consider it as one of their own. So why should India cut off its ties with an old friend, unless you think that the West can order all other nations around like they used to.

The only reason Russia doesn't look down on India is because it is also a poor country, to be polite.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

The only reason Russia doesn't look down on India is because it is also a poor country, to be polite.

Maybe, but that's why Russia values India as a partner, unlike the West which will feign friendship and adopt use-and-throw foreign policies against non-White majority nations.

Unless those nations bring something to the table, like oil in case of the Middle East. Guess India also brings something to the table, that is why there are no secondary sanctions on India despite the likes of you screaming about it.

-5 ( +0 / -5 )

Great, then this is your opportunity to sell the fishery products to India that was unwanted by China !

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

Great, then this is your opportunity to sell the fishery products to India that was unwanted by China

India can sell some of its vast population of rats to China. Interested?

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

EvilBuddhaToday 02:50 am JST

Unless those nations bring something to the table, like oil in case of the Middle East. Guess India also brings something to the table, that is why there are no secondary sanctions on India despite the likes of you screaming about it.

Sanctioning the Indian petroleum industry is the right thing to do morally but if I didn't give a damn about an ascendant China and Russia, I would probably go for the Rupees as well.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

The only reason Russia doesn't look down on India is because it is also a poor country, to be polite.

I think Indians have a higher average monthly income than Russia. Russia is below third world nowadays, since they started the war and got themselves quarantined from the part of the planet that matters.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Good to see. Through their involvement in QUAD, hopefully there will be even more military cooperation between Japan and India. Both can play a major part in thwarting the endless power grab in the region of Communist China.

Indians look up to Japan as the fellow Asian nation they one day hope to be : developed, orderly, having rule of law, safe and wealthy. If they can somehow replicate Japanese work ethic, honesty and discipline, India may just get there in the coming several decades.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

deanzaZZRToday 01:48 am JST

@Peter14 Now this is an interesting theory. Please proceed with examples, Sensei.

I am surprised you are unable to read the news and current affairs yourself.

Australia used to tread the line between China and America. It finally had to choose between trade and security, and no surprise it picked security over trade. China in its anger banned some trade goods outright and put huge tariffs on others in complete disregard for the free trade agreement between the two nations.

Australia joined AUKUS and is in the process of acquiring nuclear powered submarines and more than doubling the size of its surface combat fleet.

Australia has shown it will place security above trade, the US above China. Just one example for you that you were undoubtedly aware of.

Now you will proceed to either disagree or make out like Australia is irrelevant or a one off. It is not.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Australia never chose between the US and China. What a canard of an argument. Australia is a proud member of the Anglo-Saxon imperialist sphere and likely will remain for some time, the only difference being that in the next global war Australian forces will answer to the USA military brass and not that of the UK.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

Australia never chose between the US and China.

Yes, we did.

Australia is a proud member of the Anglo-Saxon imperialist sphere and likely will remain for some time,

Australia's modern origins are Anglo-Saxon and yes Australia is proud of that, and it is now a multi cultural nation and we are proud of that also.

the only difference being that in the next global war Australian forces will answer to the USA military brass and not that of the UK.

Perhaps you didnt notice, but that change happened half way through WWII. Nothing new there other than Australia these days takes more of a stand for its own policies. EG the US asked Australia for a warship to assist against the attacks in the Red sea and Australia, after due consideration declined to send one as they are needed in our own region more right now.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Japan no longer knows who to join in order to get the desired minerals. I’m ready to be friends with everyone if the United States gives permission

I disagree

Japan maybe resource poor in some aspects however Japan is extremely resource rich in the trace minerals and elements necessary for chip and wafer production

USA needs those minerals from Japan also

Japan is in a good position and the more friends Japan makes internationally the more friendly and helpful the USA is towards Japan

1 ( +2 / -1 )

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