Hot in Economy, Cool in Security

The overwhelming question was whether warm hospitality would change power structure of major powers. It was not going to happen, of course. This baseless optimism is what the Japanese diplomacy is all about.

Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, met with Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, in Tokyo. While Abe expected closer security relationship with Modi, with utmost welcoming effort of showing around old capital or inviting traditional tea ceremony, the meeting resulted in reflection of careful attitude of Modi to take cooperative position for Japan. Needless to say, India is reluctant to be caught up in antagonism between China and Japan. It is hard for Japan to make a good relationship with India, maintaining deteriorated diplomacy with China and raising alert level against China with more military capability.

Abe was reportedly hoped to make a deal with Modi to establish closer military cooperation through two-plus-two, consultative framework by both ministers of foreign affairs and defense. Those two leaders could not reach an agreement to have a two-plus-two meeting soon, only concluded in keeping momentum for raising current framework on deputy ministers level. Although Abe was positive on the deal, Modi was very careful in further military cooperation with Japan.

Abe showed a careful attitude in terms of nuclear deal. In the context of economic growth, Abe administration had been promoting export technology and hardware for nuclear power generation to India. However, India required Japan to allow India reprocessing used nuclear fuels. Japan had been reluctant to do that, concerning Indian position out of framework of Non-proliferation Treaty. Joint statement of Abe and Modi plainly said that they would accelerate their effort to conclude in Japan-India Atomic Agreement.

The biggest achievement was not in military or nuclear, but in investment. Abe expressed ¥3.5 trillion of investment to infrastructures in India for next five years. Japan is going to help the Indian lay sewage system and high-speed train. Abe promised doubling the amount of investment and number of Japanese corporations in India in next five years.

The biggest customer for Indian trade is in fact China. Chinese President, Xi Jinping, is going to visit India this fall to compete with Japan in Indian business. If Japan expect India as an important partner in economy, further economic reform for liberalize Indian business is definitely needed. If Japan wants India to be a stabilizer of peace and security in Asian region, Abe needs to improve the relationship with China as soon as possible before getting positive contribution of India.