Symphony of The Samurai and The Elephant: Japan-India Partnership

by Kaveri Jain (Guest Author)

In the vast realm of the ever-changing landscape of international relations, certain friendships jut out as unique and extraordinary. One such alliance is the relationship between two major Asian giants – Japan and India. Often described as ‘the Samurai and the Elephant,’ the dynamic duo between two distinct yet complementary cultures, has been grabbing much attention for its strategic significance and shared values.

As the two nations move toward deepening their cooperation, a question arises: Are India and Japan truly mastering the art of synchronized collaboration? This article delves into the intricacies of this evolving partnership by exploring its historical, present and future significance.

At first glance, The Samurai and the Elephant may seem like paradoxical pairings. However, underneath, these symbols signify the complementarity in the strength of the two nations. The Samurai embodies the qualities of discipline, resilience and honor embedded in Japan’s spirit, whereas the Elephant symbolizes India’s wisdom, strength and stability. Such parallel traits along with mutual respect and admiration for each other’s rich heritage, hint at the potential for an unprecedented and unparalleled harmonious relationship.

Historical Ties: Seeds of Friendship

The base for India-Japan friendship was laid centuries ago when Buddhism was imported from India via Korea to Japan. The earliest recorded interaction was in 752 A.D. when an Indian monk named Bodhisena performed an eye-opening or consecration ceremony for the towering statue of Buddha in Todaiji temple in Nara, Japan. Also, many records establish that scholars, traders and religious emissaries frequently travelled between the two lands, promoting cultural communication and intellectual exchange. All of this influenced the cultural and spiritual fabric of Japanese society and contributed to its shaping as it is today to a great extent.

Later, Japan’s association with prominent Indian personalities such as Swami Vivekananda, Sister Nivedita, Rabindranath Tagore, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, JRD Tata and Justice Radha Binod Pal cemented the friendship between the two nations and laid down the trajectory for future interactions and cooperation in various fields. 

After five years of gaining independence, India established diplomatic ties with Japan in 1952.  Since then, the relationship between the two nations has been free of any hiccups, except for a minor one when India conducted its nuclear tests. Despite friendly relations, the momentum of an exchange witnessed in the 1950s could not be sustained for long. It rose again when Japan entered the Indian automobile market in the 1980s. Since then, the relations between the two nations have been growing, though to varying degrees, under different leaderships.

Complementary Strengths: Unison of The Samurai and The Elephant

The symbolization of Japan as the Samurai and India as the Elephant rightly captures the essence of the alliance between the two. Japan, revered for its disciplined work ethic, technological prowess and spirit of innovation, finds a complementing partner in India, a land with vast potential, astounding diversity and a youthful population. The Samurai brings precision, efficiency and cutting-edge technology to the table while the Elephant offers scale, resources and an incredibly vast and diverse consumer market. Japan’s shrinking and aging population and technological resources with India’s growing as well as its youthful population and skilled human resources point to obvious complementarities in the relationship.

They form an imposing team that can benefit all by aligning their strengths and working together on their weaknesses for mutual advantage.

The unison of the strengths of the two nations over the past few years has resulted in an exponential rise in economic relations. Japan has significantly developed India’s infrastructure by investing in the transportation, energy and manufacturing sectors. Two significant projects have been the Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail project and the Delhi-Mumbai industrial corridor project. On the other hand, India puts forward a vast consumer market and a skilled workforce, attracting Japanese companies to invest in establishing manufacturing hubs and research centers in India. Recently, Japan has committed around 7000 crores to India for three infrastructure projects- the Patna Metro Rail Construction Project, the Project for Forest and Biodiversity Conservation for Climate Change Response in the state of West Bengal and the Rajasthan water sector livelihood improvement project.

Bilateral trade and investment continue to flourish, bolstering both nations' economic growth. However, recently, a statement given by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry’s (FICCI) chief, Subhrakant Panda, pointed out that trade between the two countries has not realized its actual potential yet. Overcoming business challenges and establishing greater collaboration in trade, supply chains and clean energy are a few of the many steps that can be taken in this regard.

Shared Values: Democracy, Peace and Stability

One of the most essential cornerstones of the India-Japan relationship is the shared commitment to democratic principles, peace and stability. The resolve of both nations for upholding the rule of law, safeguarding human rights and promoting inclusive growth brings them closer.

This has established a warm solidarity and genuine respect between the two. Also, shared values lead to shared strategic interests. They share common security and stability concerns regarding the Indo-Pacific region. Aiming to promote a free, open, transparent, prosperous and inclusive Indo-Pacific, both are a part of the QUAD- the four-member informal security dialogue group (USA and Australia being the other two members). They show a commitment to regional stability and international peace through active cooperation.

The spirit of synchronized collaboration is also evident in their technological endeavours and humanitarian activities. Both countries have offered assistance to one another in times of need, as seen in Japan’s aid to India after the earthquake in Gujarat in 2001 and India’s assistance to Japan during the earthquake and tsunami that hit that country in 2011. Such acts of generosity reflect the ties that bind the two nations. In addition, Japan and India are also looking into collaborating on technical developments and research projects in various disciplines, including robotics, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), anti-drone systems, intelligence systems, cybersecurity, and renewable energy sources.

Their dedication to innovation is a good indication of their desire to set the pace for technological advancement. The recent signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between India and Japan on semiconductor development is one of the substantial steps taken by the two nations in creating a resilient, complete value chain.

Multilateralism and Global Leadership: Examining Cooperative Diplomacy

The deepening defence cooperation between India and Japan is founded on their mutual dedication to multilateralism and reinforcing the rules-based international order. In recent years, the Global South has gained importance in Japan’s foreign policy and India has played a crucial role in highlighting regional issues on the G20 platform. 

Both countries aim to decrease the economic dependency of nations in the Global South on China. Japan uses its ODA to build a stable international order, which benefits India significantly. Active collaboration in multilateral forums such as QUAD, G20, G7, Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF), Supply Chain Resilience Initiative (SCRI) and ASEAN underscores the strengthening ties between India and Japan. 

The top officials of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) have expressed interest in joint infrastructure and development projects abroad with India. Joint planning, design and execution of connectivity and infrastructure projects in Nepal, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh can counter China’s Belt and Road Initiative. India and Japan can also work together on capacity-building and training programs focusing on technology transfer, skill development and knowledge sharing to promote sustainable development and human resource empowerment. 

Many ongoing joint projects in India related to environmental management, natural conservation, energy and mining, transportation, water resources, health and education indicate increased collaboration. A recent example is the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) signing a loan agreement with BSRM Steels Limited (BSRMSL) of Bangladesh for USD 50 million in private sector investment finance to fund the construction of an environmentally friendly steel plant in Mirsharai (Chattogram District) co-financed by the Export-Import Bank of India and Standard Chartered Bank among other institutions.

Path Ahead

Though India and Japan have made significant progress in achieving mastery over synchronized collaboration, challenges remain. Delicate navigation is required to face these challenges such as cultural variations, administrative complexities and geopolitical complications. However, the advantages of this relationship significantly outweigh any drawbacks.

Both nations are poised to unlock many opportunities for mutual growth, development, prosperity and stability. They can potentially create a reverberating and substantially positive impact on the regional and global stage by aligning their strategic interests and fostering mutual trust.

Last thoughts,

As ‘the Samurai and the Elephant’ continue to dance in synchrony, India and Japan exemplify international friendship and collaboration. Often called ‘natural partners’ on the global stage, their special alliance is based on shared values, mutually beneficial economic relationships and cultural ties.

This unique friendship is an example for other nations seeking to establish reciprocal relationships. The India-Japan alliance is a ray of hope and progress as the world witnesses the formation of new regional and global dynamics, demonstrating how countries with very different cultures can work together to improve the lives of both their people and the entire planet's future.

(The author is an research scholar at the Amity Institute of International Studies (AIIS). Her doctoral

research focuses on the relations between India and Japan in the Shinzo Abe Era. She is

diligently working to understand the multifaceted relations between India and Japan,

exploring their historical, political, economic, cultural and strategic dimensions.)