China in mind, India and Japan move to deepen defence ties, Pg8

Key Highlights:

• Japan relaxed restrictions on its arms exports, a major shift from its post-World War II pacifist defence policy.
• India welcomed Japan's decision, emphasizing increased practical cooperation for national security.
• The move allows Japan to sell lethal weapons to 17 countries with defence agreements, including the US and the UK.
• Japanese PM Sanae Takaichi affirmed Japan's commitment to peace while addressing security concerns.
• MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal highlighted defence cooperation as a key pillar of the India-Japan partnership.

Detailed Insights:

• Japan's relaxed arms export policy is driven by an increasingly severe security environment where no single country can ensure its own peace and security.
• The decision aligns with the Joint Declaration on Security Cooperation between India and Japan, promoting technological and industrial collaboration.
• This development occurs amidst concerns about a "belligerent China" in the Indo-Pacific region, strengthening strategic defence cooperation between India and Japan.
• The revised policy permits Japan to strategically promote equipment transfers with rigorous assessments, maintaining its commitment to peace.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Pacifism: Opposition to war and violence as a means of settling disputes.
• Indo-Pacific: A geopolitical region encompassing the Indian and Pacific Oceans, seen as a key area for strategic and economic competition.
• Strategic Partnership: A long-term agreement between countries to cooperate on political, economic, and security issues.