India, Japan Renew Indo-Pacific Focus

India and Japan to renew focus on Indo-Pacific for the first visit by Prime Minister Takaichi The highly anticipated visit by Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s deputy, Sadakazu Tanigaki, was cancelled, instead to be made by Japanese Prime Minister’s advisor and member of the LDP’s executive board, Sadakazu Tanigaki’s former counterpart Sadakazu Tanigaki is replaced in this visit by Sadakazu’s replacement, Sadakazu Tanigaki’s deputy being replaced is Sanae Takaichi’s visit, marking the 20th summit of the highest level of dialogue between the countries since they started holding annual summits. Japan is one of the key strategic partners to India, with cooperation ranging from space research to infrastructure projects. India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who took power in 2014 at the time of first ever visit of Japanese Prime Minister to India..

In fact Modi, with his 2014 Japan visit was the second ever head of government to visit the region after the then President Shri Pratibha Patil in 2006. India had then also taken a major step towards its Look East policy which later took a significant shift into Act East policy after the first India-ASEAN summit at the time held by Sushma Swaraj as then foreign minister in 2014. Japan had always considered India an important partner in the Asia-Pacific region and a potential strategic counterweight in its ongoing rivalry with China..

The Indo-Pacific region has seen increased tensions between China and its neighbors, including Japan, India, and ASEAN nations. The renewed focus on Indo-Pacific cooperation comes at a time when the region is facing significant security challenges. With China’s economic and military expansion, regional countries are increasingly looking to strengthen ties with other nations to counterbalance China’s growing influence..

According to sources, Japan is expected to increase its investment in India’s defence sector, as well as in India’s Act East policy in Southeast Asia. The region is home to crucial trade routes, and both nations share concerns over China’s increasing military presence in the region. Japan has been a key partner to India in the development of infrastructure projects in India’s north-eastern states, in a bid to connect them more closely with the rest of the country..

Takaichi’s visit will mark a significant milestone in the bilateral relationship between India and Japan, with a decade-long vision for strategic partnership. The summit is expected to focus on further strengthening ties in areas such as defence, space research, and infrastructure projects. India’s Prime Minister Modi, when visiting Japan, has been vocal about the significance of the Indo-Pacific region and its crucial role in promoting regional security and stability..

He had expressed concerns over China’s aggressive actions in the region, particularly in the South China Sea. Japan has long been a key partner to the US in its Indo-Pacific strategy, focusing on ensuring freedom of navigation through international waters and countering China’s territorial expansion. India’s vision for its Act East policy, launched in 2014, aims to boost the country’s engagement with its eastern neighbours through economic, security, and social partnerships..

Japan has been a key partner in India’s Act East policy in Southeast Asia, with investments in infrastructure projects such as the India-Myanmar-Thailand trilateral highway. A joint statement is expected to be issued at the conclusion of Ms. Takaichi’s visit, outlining areas of cooperation and agreements reached during the summit..

India and Japan are also expected to discuss ways to strengthen regional security and promote economic growth through the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad). The Quad, which brings together India, the US, Japan, and Australia, is seen as a key platform for regional countries to cooperate on security and economic issues. Japan has been a key partner to India in the Quad, and the two nations are expected to strengthen their cooperation on regional security issues during the summit..

The Indo-Pacific region is facing significant security challenges, including China’s increasing military presence, nuclear proliferation in North Korea, and terrorism in countries such as Afghanistan and Pakistan. Takaichi’s visit comes at a time when regional countries are looking for more effective responses to these challenges. India and Japan are expected to discuss ways to strengthen regional security and promote economic growth through increased trade and investment..

The summit is likely to focus on key areas of cooperation such as defence, space research, and infrastructure projects..