There was a significant development in the Indo-Japanese relations earlier this month. On 11 November the Prime Ministers of the two countries, in their third meeting, signed an agreement enabling Japan to export nuclear power plants to India. This was when the serious accidents at Fukushima are not able, and are unlikely to do so, to see the light of the day, India is still outside the NPT system, and is steadily developing her nuclear arsenal. This was also when the environmentalists and other citizens of India are up against the ongoing construction of some new nuclear plants here and there in their country. It is apparent that it was with the interests of the plant manufacturers of Japan in view. Many hibakusha(radioactivity-affected people), together with others, prominent among them the Mayors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, are raising their voices against the agreement.
Looked at from a different angle, there is no doubt that the agreement is a part of, if not exactly a joint encirclement of China, but then at least of a politico-strategic arrangement with China in view. As such it must have satisfied the ruling elites of both the countries.
The joint statement by the two PMs, made public on the same night, also said that the military cooperation between the two countries would be closer. At the same time it said that Japan would help India to have Shinkansen-type bullet trains in different parts of India. As the first step Japan would build it in Western India, in the 500 km distance between Mumbai and Ahmedabad. This is one of the busiest sectors of transport in India today. Also the latter is where the Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi comes from. The next day, 12 November, Mr. Abe took Mr. Modi as far as to Kobe to take a look at such a bullet train workshop there.
Would the Shinkansen solve the transport problem in India? On 20 November there was the worst-ever train accident in the Indian history in Northern India, killing more than 150 people. In my view what is really needed is to make the infrastructure, railway and road both, much more solid, resilient, and accident-free. The bullet trains may serve the business people better, but will hardly help the commuters and other common people who make up the congestion.
Looked at from a different angle, there is no doubt that the agreement is a part of, if not exactly a joint encirclement of China, but then at least of a politico-strategic arrangement with China in view. As such it must have satisfied the ruling elites of both the countries.
The joint statement by the two PMs, made public on the same night, also said that the military cooperation between the two countries would be closer. At the same time it said that Japan would help India to have Shinkansen-type bullet trains in different parts of India. As the first step Japan would build it in Western India, in the 500 km distance between Mumbai and Ahmedabad. This is one of the busiest sectors of transport in India today. Also the latter is where the Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi comes from. The next day, 12 November, Mr. Abe took Mr. Modi as far as to Kobe to take a look at such a bullet train workshop there.
Would the Shinkansen solve the transport problem in India? On 20 November there was the worst-ever train accident in the Indian history in Northern India, killing more than 150 people. In my view what is really needed is to make the infrastructure, railway and road both, much more solid, resilient, and accident-free. The bullet trains may serve the business people better, but will hardly help the commuters and other common people who make up the congestion.
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