From Beijing to Washington: Diplomatic Wrap-Up of 2024
In this week’s edition, I discuss China-Japan bonhomie, Indian EAM’s visit to the USA and Qatar, and China’s unveiling of its fighter jet.
Credits: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japan
Japan-China Foreign Ministers’ Meeting
Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya visited Beijing on December 25, 2024, marking his first trip to China since assuming office in October. The last significant bilateral meeting between Japanese and Chinese foreign ministers took place in April 2019 when Japan's then-Foreign Minister Taro Kono met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing.
What were the key issues discussed?
Security Concerns: Iwaya expressed serious concerns regarding China's military activities near the disputed Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands and in the East China Sea. He urged China to remove a buoy installed in Japan's exclusive economic zone near one of its southernmost islands. Both sides agreed to initiate a security dialogue to address these issues.
Detention of Japanese Nationals: Iwaya raised concerns about Japanese citizens detained under China's anti-espionage laws, calling for greater transparency and their release to alleviate hesitations among Japanese nationals regarding travel to China.
Fukushima Water Release and Seafood Ban: The discharge of treated radioactive water from Japan's Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant has been a contentious issue. China imposed a ban on Japanese seafood imports in response. During the visit, both sides agreed to implement a recent agreement on international monitoring of the treated water but did not indicate any immediate easing of the seafood ban.
Visa Policies and People-to-People Exchanges: In a reciprocal move following China's eased visa rules, Japan announced the relaxation of certain visa requirements for Chinese tourists, including extended stay durations and the introduction of a new 10-year multiple-entry tourist visa. Both nations emphasised the importance of people-to-people exchanges in improving bilateral relations.
The ministers agreed to continue high-level talks, with Wang Yi set to visit Japan in 2025 for an economic dialogue focusing on environmental cooperation, energy conservation, and health care. Both countries also expressed readiness to restart talks on resuming Japanese beef and rice imports to China, signalling a potential thaw in trade relations.
India-US Ties in Transition
External Affairs Minister Jaishankar met with senior U.S. officials last week, including his counterpart, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, to discuss a range of bilateral, regional, and global issues. Ahead of Trump’s return to the White House, the visit provides an opportunity to ensure continuity in policies and to discuss the transition's implications on future collaborations.
Having reviewed the advancement of partnership over the last four years, he noted,
Agreed that our cooperation has strengthened in many domains, just as our comfort levels have grown correspondingly. Confident that the India-US relationship will serve our mutual interests as well as global good.
The minister chaired a conference of the Consul Generals of India in the USA aiming to enhance diplomatic coordination and address matters pertinent to the Indian diaspora. The conference is anticipated to result in improved consular services and stronger support mechanisms for the Indian community in the U.S.
He also met with National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and Michael Waltz, Trump’s pick for the position. These discussions are crucial for setting the tone of cooperation under the new U.S. administration, especially on mutual interests such as defence, technology, trade, and climate change.
Delhi to Doha
EAM S. Jaishankar is currently on an official visit to Qatar from December 30 2024 to January 1 2025. This visit follows previous interactions, including his participation in the Doha Forum earlier this month, reflecting the continuous efforts to strengthen ties between the two nations.
He is scheduled to meet with Qatar's Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani. The meeting aims to enhance the bilateral relationship between India and Qatar across multiple domains, including trade, energy security, investment, and cultural ties.
Bilateral trade between India and Qatar stood at around $15 billion in 2023-2024. Key exports from India include machinery, textiles, and food products, while imports from Qatar are dominated by LNG and petrochemicals. Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) has also made significant investments in India, particularly in sectors like real estate, retail, and technology.
Qatar is India’s largest supplier of LNG, providing over 40% of India's LNG imports. This energy relationship underpins the economic ties between the two nations. Furthermore, with over 750,000 Indians living in Qatar, initiatives to ensure the welfare of Indian workers, have been a key focus. This visit is a step toward reinforcing India's broader Act West Policy, aimed at deepening ties with the Gulf region, a critical area for India’s strategic and economic interests.
China's 6th Generation Aircraft
On December 26, 2024, coinciding with Mao Zedong's birthday, China conducted the maiden flight of its sixth-generation stealth fighter, tentatively designated the Chengdu J-36. This aircraft features a tailless, diamond-shaped delta wing design, enhancing its stealth and aerodynamic efficiency. The absence of vertical stabilizers reduces radar cross-section, making it less detectable. The J-36 is believed to incorporate advanced avionics, sensor fusion, and artificial intelligence to assist pilots in complex combat scenarios. Its design suggests capabilities to operate in contested environments, including the Indo-Pacific maritime domain.
What We’re Reading and Listening to
[Opinion] Read Yusuf Unjhawal’s latest piece to understand how China’s rapid military modernisation is altering the regional power balance to the detriment of India’s security
[Video] If you missed out on the Bangalore Literature Festival 2024, watch Anupam Manur, Pranay Kotasthane, and Khyati Pathak discuss their “public policy comic book”, We The Citizens: Strengthening the Indian Republic
[Magazine] Read the latest issue of Connect with the Indian Institute of Science. From the consciousness conundrum to the potential of gallium nitride, discover the hidden costs of doing science.
[Book] With the war in the Middle East unending in sight and the passing away of Jimmy Carter, read the former president’s work Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid
Wish you all a very Happy New Year!