Though India and Japan are both Asian countries, the customs and practices are very different, as is the case between almost all Asian countries. To add to the complex equation, Japan had a severely negative reaction to India’s nuclear tests in 1998.
Abe-san assumed office as prime minister, for the first time, in 2006. The same year, prime minister Manmohan Singh reached out to ask whether the Ananta Aspen Centre could take an initiative with Japan, as was done with the US in 2002. A track II strategic dialogue to build bilateral trust.
The road to Japan was difficult. Hence, through Washington, DC, the idea of a trilateral strategic dialogue—US-Japan-India—was conceived with the leadership of the Centre for Strategic and International Studies. Japan responded positively and the first trilateral meeting was held at CSIS, Washington, DC. This was done with the blessings of prime minister Abe.
This trilateral initiative worked well. Meetings were held in Tokyo with the outstanding Japanese leader Kasai-san (Yoshiyuki Kasai, who was chairman of Central Japan Railway Company) hosting and co-chairing. From the beginning of the process, Kasai-san established a system of a joint group calling on the prime minister of Japan after our meeting so that an immediate report could be given.
Over the years, most of the meetings were with Abe, since he had four terms as prime minister. Once, however, there was a short-lived DPJ (opposition party) government with a prime minister who was opposed to the US. When we met that prime minister, the Indian team became the spokespersons for the group and the Americans were largely silent.
The trust between India and Japan grew steadily and the mix of persons in the dialogue—academics, corporate, media, retired diplomats and armed service officers—ensured that this off-the-record process included a cross-section of senior representatives from each country.
We covered a variety of subjects. Economics, energy, security, defence, nuclear and maritime, to mention a few. The Japanese were initially reluctant to discuss defence and security but, gradually, accepted. Again, there was tacit support from prime minister Abe.
From 2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has played a major role in strengthening ties with Japan. He had visited Japan as chief minister of Gujarat. Modi built relationships with the leadership and valued the importance of Japan.
In September 2014, when he visited Japan, for the first time as prime minister, the Indo-Japan strategic dialogue meeting was also held in Tokyo. The visit was an outstanding success and, apart from the impact he made with the Japanese side, he addressed the Indian diaspora, too.
During that visit, prime minister Abe hosted a banquet for Modi, where the Indian team at the strategic dialogue were present. During the banquet, the Indian team leader escorted the heads of the two Japanese bullet train companies and introduced them to Modi.
The India-Japan relationship has come far and these two prime ministers made it their priority to deepen, broaden and strengthen the relationship and friendship. There are multiple initiatives between India and Japan, thanks to their joint leadership.
Abe-san’s tragic death is a deeply sad event, but the foundation and the structure he has put in place, with Modi, will carry on.
The writer is former director general of the Confederation of Indian Industry.