11-December-2024-Editorial

INDIA-JAPAN FORUM 2024

The India-Japan Forum, held recently in New Delhi, emphasized strengthening bilateral ties between India and Japan. A notable focus was on advancing collaboration in semiconductor technology and expanding the strategic partnership within the Indo-Pacific region, aligning with the goals of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad).

Key Highlights of the India-Japan Forum 2024

Semiconductor Collaboration

• Revitalizing Industries: India and Japan aim to rejuvenate their semiconductor industries to create a robust global supply chain.
• Partnership with Taiwan: Both nations are joining forces with Taiwan, a major player in semiconductor manufacturing, to minimize supply chain risks and reduce dependency on China.
• Strategic Goals: This cooperation supports India’s semiconductor mission and Japan’s technological revitalization, aiming for strategic autonomy and reduced vulnerabilities.
• Indo-Pacific Context: The collaboration aligns with broader Indo-Pacific strategies to counterbalance China’s influence in critical technologies.

Growth of the Quad

• Acknowledgment of the Trump Administration: India’s External Affairs Minister credited the U.S. leadership from 2017 to 2021 for reviving and expanding the Quad.
• Fair Burden-Sharing: The Quad’s approach ensures equal responsibility among member nations, enhancing its reliability and resilience.
• Collaborative Platform: It has evolved into a platform for intergovernmental cooperation, featuring regular high-level meetings and annual summits.

India-Japan Forum Objectives

• Platform for Dialogue: This forum allows leaders from India and Japan to collaborate on shaping future strategic partnerships.
• Organizers: Convened by the Ananta Centre and the Ministry of External Affairs, the forum emphasizes fostering mutual trust and cooperation.
• Chatham House Rule: Discussions follow this rule, ensuring confidentiality by allowing information to be shared without disclosing participants’ identities.
• Core Goals: The forum focuses on exchanging ideas, exploring opportunities, and building a joint agenda for future collaboration.

Key Insights into the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad)

The Quad is a platform for regional security and economic collaboration in the Indo-Pacific.

It aims to enhance security, counter China’s assertive policies, boost economic growth, and improve maritime security.

Evolution of the Quad

• Origins: Formed in 2004 after the Indian Ocean tsunami for humanitarian aid, it was formally proposed in 2007 by Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
• Dormancy and Revival: The Quad became inactive in 2008 but was revived in 2017 due to rising concerns over China’s growing influence. Its first formal summit took place in 2021.

Functioning and Role for India

• Mechanisms: The Quad operates through regular summits, joint military exercises, and economic initiatives but lacks a formalized structure like NATO.
• Significance for India:

• Offers strategic leverage to counter China’s influence.
• Enhances regional security and economic partnerships.

• Challenges:

• Uneven cooperation among members.
• Absence of a decision-making framework.
• Potential geopolitical tensions with China.

Conclusion

The India-Japan Forum 2024 has highlighted the deepening strategic cooperation between India and Japan, with a significant focus on semiconductors and the Quad’s role in regional security. By working together, the two nations aim to foster technological innovation, reduce supply chain dependencies, and strengthen their position in the Indo-Pacific.