In a groundbreaking move that will send a strong signal to China, India and Japan have firmed up their first ever defence cooperation agreement and it is expected to be signed during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit next month.
It’s reliably learnt that the agreement is ready for the Union Cabinet to take it up for approval next week. Sources said Japan too is in the process of completing its own internal formalities ahead of the visit in the first week of September.
This will be a historic step for Japan as it will be signing its first such agreement outside its traditional alliance partners US, Australia and Britain.
The pact, which is essentially a MoU on defence cooperation and exchanges, sets a framework for engagement, including in equipment purchase and production. Both countries have been engaged in conversations on such issues through a dialogue of senior officials and an agreement now provides a firm basis to the initiative of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in his last term.
Under this framework, sources said, the two sides will look to expand the scope of their joint exercises. India is still to take a call on whether it wants to conduct land- and air-based exercises with Japan keeping in view the levels to which China could be provoked.
Much of this flows from Abe’s initiative to challenge the traditional interpretation of the Japanese constitution through a historic cabinet decision in July, which recognised Japan’s right to collective self-defence. This opened up possibilities for Japan to enter into defence arrangements with other key partners and also expand its equipment manufacturing potential.
The Japanese government views this as a natural response to the deteriorating security environment in its region, the constant stand-offs with China over the Senkaku Islands and the growing Chinese military might that has upset the balance of power in East Asia.
In recent years, Japan has established trilateral dialogues, involving the United States, with different countries. Its growing assertiveness has evoked counter-reactions from China, giving tense moments to other countries in the region.
For India, however, the challenge is to keep the balance in its favour. It may be noted that within two weeks of his return from Japan, Modi is due to host Chinese President Xi Jinping in India, where again key strategic issues will be on the table.
