Good tidings from Japan

The growing friendship comes at a crucial time

Prime Minister Narendra Modi can look back with a lot of satisfaction at the recently concluded visit of his counterpart in Japan, Shinzo Abe. Nothing broadcast the warmth and spirit of cooperation between the two Asian countries better than Mr Abe’s resolve that Japan would be India’s friend forever. The growing convergence on strategic issues and the mutual understanding comes at a crucial time for both the countries. Japan, as the most important US ally in the Pacific, is facing sustained provocation from North Korea even as China aims to extend its control over the region. India has just avoided a clash with the Chinese over Doklam and successfully negotiated the BRICS Summit in Xiamen by building diplomatic pressure on Pakistan towards controlling terror groups originating from it. That Japan was the only country that publicly supported India during the Doklam face-off suggested a realignment taking place. The promise of increased cooperation across various sectors from the railways to nuclear power to counter-terrorism bodes well for India’s geopolitical heft in the region and it is something that Mr Modi could count as an achievement. 

From India’s perspective, possibly the biggest plus at the geo-strategic level has been the further strengthening of its narrative against Pakistan, providing a safe haven to terror outfits. The joint statement, issued at the end of the visit last week, clearly mentioned Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) for the very first time. Combined with a similar success in the BRICS Summit, this will further bolster India’s stance against Pakistan-based terror and India’s negotiating position internationally. The other big achievement was the reiteration of well-laid international norms related to the development of cross-border connectivity (in an obvious reference to China’s One Belt One Road initiative) or the freedom to navigate and use for commerce the broader Indo-Pacific region. The latter, without actually mentioning in so many words, included the developments in the South China Sea. The fact that the credibility of the US’s influence at the international level has seen a distinct dip in the recent past makes this proximity with Japan all the more important for India. A better understanding with Japan will hold India in good stead when dealing with China in the future.

Within the country, however, the visit of the Japanese PM was devalued by the pointless, yet vigorous, debate surrounding the bullet train, which is scheduled to run between Ahmedabad and Mumbai in a few years. That the country has seen a flurry of train derailments in the lead-up to the announcement of the bullet train — in fact, a Rajdhani derailed the very same day — has justifiably made everyone question the government’s ability to provide safer rail travel. The fact is, the money available for the bullet train cannot simply be used for other purposes. Moreover, having a bullet train does not hold back the government from investing in improving railway safety. The project will not only provide thousands of jobs but could also be an engine for growth in the times to come, apart from providing key technical lessons.