FOIP as a Gateway to India-Japan Collaboration in Disaster Management and Risk Reduction

This paper reviews India's understanding of the Free and Open Indo-Pacific and the possibilities it offers for Indo-Japanese collaborations in disaster management. While many see security at the heart of the FOIP alliance policies, India sees FOIP more broadly, including Non-Traditional Security Issues, including natural and environmental disasters, climate change, food insecurity, and disease outbreaks. Due to its geographical and geological configuration, India is dealing with different types of climate related disaster risks. Tackling them is a policy priority and as important as the security aspects.The increasingly close ties between India and Japan have led to discussions on how India can learn more about Japan's good practice in disaster prevention and management. We engage with these initiatives, giving examples of what has already been jointly developed and discuss how both countries can learn from each other and grow this aspect of their collaboration.