- India and Japan have signed an agreement for reciprocal provision of supplies and services between the Armed Forces of India and The Self-Defense Forces of Japan.
- India and Japan recently concluded the much anticipated Mutual Logistic Pact for their Navies to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific region amid China’s aggressive policies.
- This was outgoing Japanese PM Shinzo Abe’s first summit talk since he decided to step down last month over health reasons.
- But both sides decided to go ahead with the leadership level dialogue.
- In this context, both Prime Ministers welcomed the signing of the Agreement between the Government of Japan and the Government of the Republic of India
- Concerning Reciprocal Provision of Supplies and Services between the Self-Defense Forces of Japan and the Indian Armed Forces (so-called “Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement”, or ACSA).
- The timing of the pact is significant as it comes amid tensions with China along LAC and Beijing’s aggressive behaviour across the Indo-Pacific region.
- This agreement will facilitate the smooth provision of supplies and services between the Self-Defense Forces of Japan and the Indian Armed Forces.
- It will also promote closer cooperation between the forces on the ground, thereby contributing further to global peace and security.
- The ACSA (commonly referred to as Mutual Logistics Services Pact) would permit the Indian Navy access to a Japanese base in Djibouti.
- The Japan Maritime Self Defence Force (JSDF) would be permitted to use India’s military installations in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
- India currently has similar pacts with the US, Australia, France and is likely to sign one with Russia later this year.
- Abe has been a pillar of strength for India’s Look East and Act East policy – a leader who developed strong ties with former PM Manmohan Singh as well as PM Narendra Modi.
- Abe became the first Japanese prime minister to attend India’s Republic Day parade as the chief guest in 2014.
- It was Abe who proposed Indo-Pacific construct and partnership across the region based on confluence of two seas (during his 2007 speech in Indian Parliament) and
- Ushered in the Asia Africa Growth Corridor with India as a key partner amid Beijing’s BRI and Maritime Silk Route initiatives.
- Modi and Abe introduced steps to upgrade strategic partnership to the next level, a remarkable achievement for a Pacifist nation.
- The Quadrilateral format was revived and Japan re-joined Malabar naval exercise with India and USA.