By all accounts, the visit of Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has gone off well. Deepa Gopalan Wadhwa, former ambassador to Tokyo (2012-15), believes that the visit was heavily tilted towards economic issues.
That may have stemmed from her former role as minister for economic security, she told StratNews Global on The Gist. What stands out this time is the presence of a large business delegation which accompanied her to Delhi, which suggests private industry in that country is bullish about India.
Current trade levels are not great, averaging less than $30 billion, but Japanese companies that have invested here are doing well, whether it is iconic Suzuki or something else. Therefore the bullish mood.
Ambassador Wadhwa noted that investment from Japanese firms has been slow but steady and during Modi’s visit there last year, there was a commitment by then prime minister Shigeru Ishiba to invest up to $60 billion in India over the decade.
Prime Minister Takaichi, who was mentored by the late prime minister Shinzo Abe, appears to share his positive vision of India. The presence of such a large business delegation therefore holds out hope.
The military relationship appears to have finally taken off with an agreement on the Unicorn radio antenna for the navy. More could happen as confidence builds and the two sides get a sense of what the other wants or is prepared to supply.
As for China, there is growing Japanese concern about the challenge it presents to their security and given the uncertainty over the US relationship, is Japan looking at others to help out?
PM Takaichi is certain to have talked about China but given that it is also heavily dependent on the China trade, she would have been circumspect. Also the two countries are also investing in capacity building, in shoring up their defensive and offensive abilities.
Tune in for more in this conversation with Deepa Gopalan Wadhwa, former ambassador to Japan.
