Two of Asia’s biggest economies have agreed to a new level of cooperation. Japan and India are launching a new round of business deals with a focus on nuclear energy. HPR’s Bill Dorman has more in today’s Asia Minute.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi just wrapped up a three day visit to Japan, where a deal on nuclear energy topped the agenda.
The agreement clears the way for Japanese companies to sell nuclear technology to India. A project the two countries have been discussing for more than six years, before either prime minister was in office.
It’s similar to a deal the United States and India reached in 2008, but it’s a real departure from previous policy for Japan.
It’s the first time Japan has agreed to a deal like this with a country that has not signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation treaty. And activists in Japan and elsewhere have been critical of the move.
India last conducted a nuclear explosion in 1998. And has declared a moratorium on further testing.
Any resumption of testing would lead Japan to cancel the agreement.
Japan’s nuclear industry has been in decline since the 2011 Fukushima disaster, and Abe has been pursuing international deals with potential partners including Vietnam and Turkey.
The Modi government wants to increase the use of nuclear power across India, as part of a strategy to cut back on fossil fuels.
The two leaders also discussed regional security---a session that took on a new tone given the results of last week’s U.S. presidential election.
