India-Japan Forum 2024 | 10 Dec 2024

Source: TH 

Why in News?

Recently, at the India-Japan Forum in New Delhi, External Affairs Minister(EAM) of India underscored the potential for a strategic semiconductor alliance between India and Japan. 

What are the Key Highlights of the India-Japan Forum 2024? 

  • Semiconductor Collaboration: India and Japan are revitalizing their semiconductor industries to enhance global supply chain resilience.  
    • India and Japan are collaborating with Taiwan, a key semiconductor hub, to mitigate supply chain risks and reduce dependence on China. This partnership supports India's semiconductor mission and Japan's revitalization efforts, aiming to reduce strategic vulnerabilities and foster technological autonomy. 
    • Such cooperation aligns with broader Indo-Pacific strategies to counter Chinese dominance in critical supply chains and enhance strategic autonomy for both nations. 
  • Quad's Growth: The EAM of India credited the Trump administration (2017 to 2021) for reviving and expanding the Quad (India, Japan, Australia, US) 
    • The Quad's inclusive "fair share" approach to burden-sharing enhances its resilience to alliance and commitment concerns. It has evolved into a platform for extensive intergovernmental cooperation, with regular high-level meetings and annual summits. 

India-Japan Forum 

  • The India-Japan Forum provides a platform for Indian and Japanese leaders to shape the future of bilateral and strategic partnerships through deliberation and collaboration.  
    • The forum is convened by the Ananta Centre and the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. 
      • Ananta Centre is a non-partisan(free from political party affiliation) organization dedicated to leadership development and fostering open dialogue on key issues to drive India's transformation. 
  • The aim of the forum is to bolster cooperation, leverage opportunities, exchange ideas, build mutual trust and develop a joint agenda for future cooperation. The discussions will be held under Chatham House rules. 
    • Under the Chatham House Rule, participants can use the information received but must not disclose the identity or affiliation of speakers or other participants 

What are the Key Facts About Quadrilateral Security Dialogue(Quad)?

  • About: The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) is a strategic forum focused on promoting regional security and economic cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.  
    • The Quad aims to strengthen regional security, counter China’s assertiveness, promote economic growth, and improve maritime security.  
  • Origins: The Quad originated after the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, where the US, Japan, India, and Australia provided humanitarian aid.  
    • It was formally established in 2007 by Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe but went dormant in 2008. The group was revived in 2017 amid changing regional attitudes toward China's influence, culminating in its first formal summit in 2021. 
  • Functions: It functions through summits, joint military drills, and economic initiatives but lacks a formal structure like North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). 
  • Quad and India: For India, it offers strategic and economic benefits, particularly in countering China and enhancing security.  
    • However, challenges include imbalanced cooperation, lack of a decision-making body, and geopolitical tensions with China. 

Read more: India Japan 2+2 Foreign and Defence Ministerial Meeting

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ) 

Prelims

Q1. In which one of the following groups are all four countries members of G20? (2020) 

(a) Argentina, Mexico, South Africa and Turkey 

(b) Australia, Canada, Malaysia and New Zealand 

(c) Brazil, Iran, Saudi Arabia and Vietnam 

(d) Indonesia, Japan, Singapore and South Korea 

Ans: (a) 

Exp: 

  • The G20 comprises Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, EU, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey, UK and USA. Hence Option(a) is correct.