India and Japan have signed a logistics agreement that will enhance their strategic partnership and streamline military cooperation. The deal, the Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA), was signed during the virtual India-Japan summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Japanese counterpart, Yoshihide Suga, on 26 April.

The ACSA will allow the Indian and Japanese defence forces to access each other’s military bases for logistical support, including supplies, services and refuelling. This will enable the two countries to operate more effectively together, both in times of peace and in emergencies, such as natural disasters or military conflicts.

The agreement is significant because it marks a deepening of ties between India and Japan, who have been building their strategic partnership since 2014. The two countries share a concern about China’s growing military assertiveness in the region, and have been seeking to balance China’s influence by strengthening their own defence capabilities.

India and Japan have already cooperated on a number of defence projects, including the development of a military aircraft and the construction of a high-speed rail line. The two countries have also held joint military exercises and regularly consult on regional security issues.

The signing of the ACSA builds on this cooperation, and is likely to provide a boost to bilateral trade and economic ties as well. Japan is India’s fourth largest trading partner and a major investor in various sectors, including automobiles, electronics and infrastructure.

The agreement is also expected to enhance India’s strategic presence in the Indo-Pacific region, which has become a focus of geopolitical competition in recent years. India has been seeking to expand its influence in the region, both through military and economic means, and to counter China’s growing assertiveness.

The ACSA between India and Japan is a significant step forward in their strategic partnership, and reflects their shared commitment to regional security and stability. The agreement is likely to have a positive impact on their bilateral ties and on the broader geopolitical landscape of the Indo-Pacific region.