India - Japan Relations: Towards a Strategic Partnership

Unlike the previous visits by Japanese prime ministers, Koizumi's sojourn has underscored the need to elevate India-Japan relations to a ` strategic partnership', premised on shared interests and concerns at global, regional and bilateral levels. The Joint Statement is the most comprehensive declaration of intent ever issued by the two countries, encompassing wide-ranging issues from information and communication technology to joint research on advanced technologies. The annual security dialogue has been further strengthened and the path is cleared for greater bilateral interaction between the armed forces. India's emergence as the largest recipient of aid and growing concerns about China are likely to promote greater Japanese investments and trade, the weakest link. Without doubt, India-Japan relations have decisively entered a new phase, which will have considerable impact, especially on the AsiaPacific.