THE GIST of Editorial for UPSC Exams : 31 MAY 2019 (New beginnings, old friends (Indian Express))

New beginnings, old friends (Indian Express)

Mains Paper 2 : International Relations
Prelims level : not much
Mains level : India and Japan relations

Context

• This year, the month of May has brought with it a breath of fresh air and a new ray of hope for both India and Japan. Today, India witnesses the inauguration of the second Narendra Modi administration.
• A strong and stable government in India, with renewed validation from the voters, is warmly welcomed across the globe, and not just in Japan.

To focusing three areas for Japan

Improving economic and social development

• Japan and India will continue to team up for India’s economic and social development. Japan will vigorously support the people of India by meaningfully combining our official development assistance (ODA) and private sector engagement.
• Japan has been the largest supporter of India in terms of ODA and will further broaden and deepen its efforts. Big infrastructure projects such as Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail as well as metros in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Ahmedabad and Bengaluru are well known.
• Japan has also been a long-standing advocate for bettering the lives of Indian people, including at the grass roots level, so that they can fulfill their potential.
• Women are at the center of our projects. Metro trains are providing comfort and safety to countless women going to work and supporting their families.
• To building schools for disadvantaged people, so that children girls, in particular can have a bright future. Japan is also determined to support projects related to rural development, sustainable forest conservation and disaster risk reduction.
• A vibrant private sector is an indispensable ingredient to our collaboration. Japan is already one of the largest investors in India and we expect even more Japanese companies to invest and operate here in the next five years.
• Japanese companies will continue to bring technologies and skills in the manufacturing sector. But the window of business collaboration is wide open for digital, IT, AI and telecommunications.
• India’s incredible IT talents complement Japan’s technological vigour beautifully. Japan has established a start-up hub in Bengaluru which has attracted young talents.

Maintain good partnership

• The partnership between Japan and India carries increasing weight for the peace and prosperity of a wider region.
• Our Special Strategic and Global Partnership is literally special, because it is supported by shared values such as democracy, freedom, and the rule of law.
• A free and open Indo-Pacific is a manifestation of our commitment to a stable and prosperous region that upholds these values.
• Working with other like-minded countries, including the US, ASEAN members and Australia, Japan and India are at the forefront of the international community’s increasing affinity for this concept.
• In particular, the Japan-India-US framework plays a key role as it has been elevated to the summit level.
• Japan and India are collaborating on development projects in countries, in regions as diverse as South Asia and Africa, to translate this vision into a reality. Quality infrastructure holds the key to enhancing connectivity in the region, providing long-term and sustainable benefits.
• The most recent effort includes a joint collaboration with Sri Lanka to develop the Colombo South Port and make it a shipping hub of the Indian Ocean.
• Japan’s commitment to the development of and better connectivity in India’s Northeast is a part of our joint efforts for regional stability and prosperity.

Collaborating SDGs

• Japan and India will be true partners on the global stage, closely collaborating in such areas as the SDGs, United Nations reform, including Security Council reform, global warming mitigation and free and open multilateral trading systems.
• As Japan hosts the G20 Summit Meeting next month and welcomes Prime Minister Modi, we would like to work with India on digital data governance, quality infrastructure and other international challenges and opportunities.
• India could become the most populous country in the world by the end of the new government’s tenure, with its economy on a steady ascent. Prime Minister Abe stresses that “A strong India is in Japan’s interest, and a strong Japan is in India’s interest”.
• Building upon the trust between our two leaders, Japan-India relations will take greater strides in the coming five years.
• Our strong relations are not only for ourselves but for the entire humanity.
• In a world where uncertainties and unpredictability are pervasive, a firm Japan-India relationship exemplifies a strong force that promises stability.

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Prelims Questions:

Q.1) Consider the following statements about Elephants in India:
1. The Asiatic elephant is smaller in size than its African counterpart.
2. Elephant has been declared the National Heritage Animal of India by the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change.
3. The Gaj Yatra is conducted to generate support for Right of Passage for elephants.

Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: D
Mains Questions:
Q.1) In an uncertain world, the Japan-India relationship is a force for stability. Comment.