During Defense Minister Rajnath Singh's recent visit to Vietnam, the two countries further strengthened bilateral cooperation by signing a joint vision statement on India-Vietnam defence partnership towards 2030.
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Progress in India's Act East policy, maritime multilateralism, maritime security reach and building a strong network across the Indo-Pacific are some of the key factors that have made New Delhi and Hanoi natural partners. The purpose of the Joint Vision Statement is to expand the scope and scope of existing defense cooperation between the two nations. The two sides held detailed discussions on expanding the avenues for effective and viable cooperation in bilateral defense investments related to regional and global issues.
The purpose of the Joint Vision Statement is to expand the scope and scope of existing defense cooperation between the two nations.
The meeting with Vietnam's National Defense Minister General Van Van Giang also discussed the implementation of existing projects that complement India's 'Make in India', early finalization of India's expanded संरक्षण 500 million defense credit line, Make for the World and Hanoi's defense capabilities. The two sides signed a memorandum of understanding on mutual logistical support. This is the first agreement Hanoi has made with any other country and since 2016 Hanoi has elevated the status of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) it has shared with New Delhi (excluding Russia and China only). Earlier this year, in January, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, India reaffirmed its commitment to the CSP.
Due to the maritime trade through the Indo-Pacific sea lanes of transportation and the potential as well as the estimated energy reserves in these waters, maritime cooperation between the countries in the region has expanded rapidly. Undoubtedly, for India and Vietnam too, especially the maritime sector is at the center. The two countries share similarities in their approaches to maintaining the stability and security of the Indo-Pacific that has transformed political and political support in the context of developments in the region and manifested itself as a means of tangible and functional cooperation - the most important bilateral defense partnership.
Due to the maritime trade through the Indo-Pacific sea lanes of transportation and the potential as well as the estimated energy reserves in these waters, maritime cooperation between the countries in the region has expanded rapidly.
In the Indo-Pacific, the growing geopolitical importance and attendant uncertainty against China's expanding and often abrasive footprints has led to an emphasis on cooperative mechanisms and frameworks throughout the region. Hanoi and New Delhi have not been unfamiliar with the developments and have stepped up bilateral exchanges. The defense partnership between the two countries has been steadily growing since the signing of the Defense Protocol in 2000, and today includes extensive naval to naval cooperation, including intelligence, production and logistical support, development of naval facilities for Vietnam's defense needs. Nha Trang, defense dialogue, high-level visits and supply of warships and cruise missiles.
Vietnam is and is one of the most vocal countries in terms of China’s periodic violations in the South China Sea. In India, Vietnam has found an equally compromising partner when it comes to violating freedom of navigation and threatening sovereign maritime territorial rights enshrined in international maritime law. Indeed, it is believed that Hanoi first used the term Indo-Pacific in 2018 in a joint statement with India. New Delhi has upheld Vietnam's position on Beijing's destabilizing actions and coercive maneuvers in support of the Standing Court of Arbitration's ruling in the Manila case in 2016, and reiterated UNCLOS's recklessness. Despite opposition from China, India did not shy away from continuing ONGC Videsh Ltd's (OVL) block 128 (which is in Hanoi's EEZ) oil exploration project. After the Chinese incursion into Ladakh in 2020, India deployed warships in the South China Sea, setting an example of odd war and signaling that India would not back down. These events, along with the depth of India’s operational outreach in the Indo-Pacific, have successfully demonstrated and strengthened its role as a capable, willing and reliable partner.
Vietnam has found an equally compromising partner when it comes to violating freedom of navigation and threatening sovereign maritime territorial rights embodied under international maritime law.
Over the past few years, Vietnam has focused on naval diplomacy and strengthened ties with the United States, as well as expanding engagement with India and other ASEAN members. There have been a number of ‘firsts’ during this period, including a visit in 2018 to the Japanese submarine Kuroshio that was docked at Cam Ran International Port; Visit of Canadian naval ships to Cam Ran military base in 2019; The signing of the Framework Partnership Agreement between Hanoi and the EU, which helps to participate in previous EU Joint Security and Defense Policy (CSDP) missions and operations, and Vietnam being the first of the ASEAN member countries to do so.
While the China component has led to stronger ties, it is also important to note that mutual cooperation does not just run through it. The two countries have expanded areas of cooperation and support each other's personal and multilateral participation in the Indo-Pacific Rubric. The convergence between New Delhi and Hanoi has naturally given expression to bilateral relations and both countries are ready to further develop their partnership in the coming years.
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