New Delhi, Oct. 2 -- Japan has set a target of investing 10 trillion yen (about Rs.60,000 crore) in India over the next decade, following talks between the Indian Prime Minister and his Japanese counterpart last month. The two governments presented a joint roadmap to deepen their partnership through greater economic, security and ecological cooperation. At a time when old alliances are under threat from geopolitical tensions, the prospect of furthering a productive and friendly relationship with Japan is a welcome development.

As countries go, Japan and India are studies in contrast. Japan is a small, modern, developed country. It is safe and clean, largely homogenous in language and ethnicity, with a population that is known to be order...