About the book
Economic security is understood as the safeguarding of a nation’s survival, sovereign independence, and economic well-being against threats such as disruptions in the supply of critical resources, the loss of advanced technologies, and excessive dependence on foreign powers. The conversation around economic security—often encompassing tools like economic statecraft and stricter trade regulations—has been further shaped by the growing perception of renewed “systemic competition” in global politics, especially with the rise of China. This narrative has gained urgency in recent years, particularly following the Trump administration’s disruptive approach to strategic and economic policy, which introduced new complexities to the global economic landscape.
This volume discusses the alignment of interests, the opportunities, and the challenges for a trilateral partnership between Japan, India, and the European Union. It posits that such a trilateral is essential to economic security, a rules-based system, and the survival of the liberal international order.
Chapter 4: VIP Alignment? Enhancing Technology Cooperation between Japan-India-EU for Economic Security
Strengthening and securing economic security is crucial for Japan, India and the EU in the face of an increasingly contested and unstable geopolitical context. Enhanced capabilities and unwanted dependencies and vulnerabilities are being addressed—particularly in their relationships with China and Russia. Growing uncertainties in the relationship with the US are further reason to strengthen collaboration and fill the global leadership vacuum. (Digital) technologies play an important role in the push for economic security, as they define countries’ competitiveness and national security. Securing semiconductor supply chains, critical raw materials and quantum technologies; investing in competitiveness in digital markets, services and AI; and ensuring safe and reliable digital governance are chefsache in capitals worldwide.
For Japan to uphold its position as a leading Asian power, for India to live up to its promise as an aspiring global power, and for the EU to become a geopolitical power, the three partners need to elevate their trilateral ties to a higher, more strategic level through sectoral and minilateral collaboration in various tech fields. This collaboration can start from concrete, targeted areas to build trust, and be expanded gradually, focusing on areas where, Japan, India, and the EU align on values, interests and priorities. Doing so, the three can create a solid framework for cooperation that addresses their shared challenges, leverages their collective strengths and fills a global leadership vacuum.
About the Authors
Maaike Okano-Heijmans, Programme Lead Geopolitics of Technology and Digitalisation | Indo-Pacific / Senior Research Fellow.
Jelle van den Wijngaard, Researcher.