politics International
has come a frightening report that says China may build marine
nuclear power plants in the area. “Marine nuclear power platform
construction will be used to support China’s effective control in
the South China Sea,” China’s state-run English daily Global Times
reported, citing the China National Nuclear Corporation as saying
on a social media account. It shows that China is aiming for heavy
militarization of the area, where according to the Pentagon, China
has reclaimed 1,170 hectares of land since 2013.
Nonetheless, significance of Modi’s second visit to Japan lay in
signing of nuclear deal with Tokyo. It should be recalled that both
the countries had earlier completed legal and technical procedure
required for signing of the agreement on civil nuclear cooperation
between the two countries. But not before India abided by Japan’s
stipulations like non-transfer of nuclear technology for military
purposes, non-resumption of nuclear tests, reprocessing spent
fuel at designated facilities, accepting comprehensive inspections
of civilian nuclear facilities by the International Atomic Energy
Agency. Experts say that now US-based companies like General
Electric and Westinghouse Electric Company-both owned by
Japan’s Hitachi and Toshiba will start negotiations with India
for setting up of nuclear plants in the country. In fact, Japanese
companies are key source to elements like safety components
and construction of domes for nuclear power plants.
Infrastructure was another major issue that received Japan’s
overwhelming support in terms of development. In particular
high-speed train which India wants to run between Mumbai and
Ahmadabad, came for a special discussion between Modi and
his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe during the meet. In fact,
on November 12, Modi and Abe travelled to Kobe by the famed
Shinkansen train to visit the Kawasaki Heavy Industries facility
where the high speed railway is manufactured. Investments
for Delhi Metro’s phase-IV project and on-going East-West rail
fright corridor project saw fresh initiatives from Japan. But
India appeared to be keen to have investment from Japan for
the development of tourism infrastructure. New Delhi sought
investment from Japan for building hotels, resorts, convention
centres, amusement parks, wellness centres and ayurveda parks
across the country.
Development of industrial parks also received a fillip during
the Prime Ministerial visit. It should be noted that Japan has
agreed to develop 11industrial parks in India along Delhi-Mumbai
Industrial Corridor (DMIC) and Chennai-Bengaluru Industrial
Corridor (CBIC). In this regard, Japanese officials have already
identified areas where these parks with all attended facilities
will be built. During Modi’s visit, the issue got a further push. Yet
agriculture, science and technology and space were major areas
where India sought Japanese help for their further exploits for
human needs. Thus, the bilateral meeting between Indian and
Japanese Prime Ministers was an occasion for the two sides to
enhance their mutual cooperation in the spirit of value-based
partnership between them.
Signing of the deal for 12 amphibious aircraft, known as
Shinmaywa US-2i search and rescue jet was yet another major
development between the two sides. It should be noted that
India wants to equip the Indian Navy and the Indian Coast Guard
with six each of these aircraft. Earlier, this defense deal was put
on hold because both sides could not thrash out problem related
to technology transfer and pricing of the amphibious aircraft.
Only after Tokyo agreed to reduce the price of the 12 amphibious
aircraft, known for its short take-off, the two countries wasted no
time in sealing the deal during Modi’s visit.
It should be noted that on the sidelines of annual Shangri-La
Dialogue in June in Singapore, the issue was discussed between
Indian Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar and his Japanese
counterpart Gen Nakatani. It was followed by a delegation level
meeting between officials of the two countries in Kota House in
New Delhi during Gen Nakatani’s visit to India in the second week
of July. Thereby, step by step India and Japan raised the stock on
Shinmaywa US-2i till it reached its logical end. As a privileged
partner in the ‘Make in India’ and an important strategic partner
in its ‘Act East Policy,” Japan has agreed to make defense products
in India, a major development which will not only boost trade but
also job creation. Yet charm of three days Prime Ministerial visit
lay in strengthening of bilateral engagement between the two
sides. Of them granting of audience by Japanese Emperor Akihito
to the visiting Indian dignitary imparted much needed symbolic
value to the two countries’ age old ties.
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November 16-30, 2016 The Dayafter
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