Recently, the Defence Ministers of India and Vietnam have come together to discuss potential cooperation in various sectors such as defence industry capability building, training, and participation in United Nations (UN) peacekeeping operations. This defence cooperation is an integral part of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership agreed upon in 2016.
India, inspired by the vision of “Atmanirbhar Bharat” aimed at self-reliance including in defence industries, proposed closing an institutionalised framework agreement to boost defence industry cooperation. Vietnam expressed gratitude towards Indian Armed Forces’ contributions in strengthening Vietnamese Defence Forces, especially in Human Resource development.
India expressed interest in elevating the scope and level of training for the three services of Vietnam Defence forces in Indian Defence Institutes. Both countries have cooperated extensively on procurement of weaponry and military hardware, capacity building, collaboration in shipbuilding, and repair.
UN Peacekeeping and Collaboration in Hydrography
The two nations discussed the potential for cooperation in UN peacekeeping operations, which aid nations transition from periods of conflict to peace. Another critical field of mutual interest is Hydrography, allowing for sharing of data and assistance in production of navigational charts.
Hydrography involves the study, measurement, and description of the physical features of Earth’s navigable waters and adjoining coastal regions.
ADMM Plus Meeting Invitation
Vietnam has extended an invitation to India for the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus), scheduled for December 2020. The ADMM-Plus is a platform designed to foster security and defence cooperation for peace, stability, and regional development. It comprises the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and its eight Dialogue Partners, including India.
India-Vietnam Relations Under the Lens
In light of China’s aggression in the Indo-Pacific region, India and Vietnam have resolved to enhance their bilateral cooperation under the frameworks of India’s Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) and the ASEAN’s Outlook on Indo-Pacific.
From an economic standpoint, India continues to maintain its oil and gas exploration partnerships with Vietnam. The latter stands as the second largest export destination for India after Singapore in the ASEAN region, with bilateral trade reaching as high as USD 9.01 billion from April to November 2019.
Cooperation across Multiple Fora and India’s Assistance to Vietnam
India and Vietnam will serve as non-permanent members in the UN Security Council concurrently in 2021. They also cooperate in various regional forums such as East Asia Summit, Mekong Ganga Cooperation, Asia Europe Meeting (ASEM).
India has reaffirmed its commitment to assist Vietnam through initiatives such as Quick Impact Projects (QIP), Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC), e-ITEC initiatives, PhD fellowships, as well as projects in water resource management, SDGs, digital connectivity, and heritage conservation in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta region.
Cultural Exchange and Future Prospects
The year 2019 was commemorated as the ASEAN-India Year of Tourism. In order to promote bilateral tourism, both nations have simplified their visa regimes. In 2018-19, India celebrated Mahatma@150 with events including artificial limb fitment camps organized in four provinces of Vietnam, benefitting 1,000 people.
As both India and Vietnam are geographically situated at the centre of the emerging Indo-Pacific construct, they would play a significant role in this strategic space. The strategic partnership within the broad India-Vietnam cooperation framework is crucial towards achieving the vision outlined under India’s ‘Act East’ Policy. This policy aims for an expansion of engagement that yields positive, inclusive growth for all regional participants.