India, Vietnam enhance defence cooperation in emerging areas.

INDIA VIETNAM RELATIONS

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Context: The 14th India-Vietnam Defence Policy Dialogue recently held in New Delhi, emphasized cooperation in emerging areas like Cyber Security and Military Medicine.

Details

The 14th India-Vietnam Defence Policy Dialogue was held in New Delhi on August 1, 2024. This high-level meeting was co-chaired by the Defence Secretary of India, and Senior Lieutenant, the Deputy Minister of National Defence of Vietnam.

Key Highlights

Review of Bilateral Defence Cooperation	●The dialogue reviewed the progress in bilateral defence cooperation since the signing of the 'Joint Vision Statement on India-Vietnam Defence Partnership towards 2030' in June 2022. This agreement marked a significant advancement in the defence relations between the two countries.
Focus Areas Proposed by Vietnam	●Delegation Exchanges and Dialogue: Facilitating exchanges and discussions between defence delegations to enhance mutual understanding and cooperation. ●Staff-Talks: Regular meetings between military staff to address specific issues and improve operational coordination. ●Service-to-Service Cooperation: Collaboration between the armed forces of both nations on various operational and strategic fronts. ●Education and Training: Joint educational programs and training exercises to build capacity and skills. ●Defence Industry Cooperation: Collaboration in defence manufacturing and technology development.
India’s Proposal for Emerging Areas of Cooperation	●Cyber Security: Cooperation to protect digital infrastructure and counter cyber threats. ●Information Security: Safeguarding sensitive information and intelligence. ●Military Medicine: Joint research and development in military healthcare and medical support systems. ●Submarine Search & Rescue: Collaborative efforts in enhancing capabilities for submarine rescue operations.
Enhancement of Defence Industry Capabilities	●Defence Secretary emphasized the potential of India's domestic defence industry to contribute to the capacity and capability enhancement of friendly foreign countries. This includes the potential for collaboration with Vietnam's armed forces and industries.
Letter of Intent Signed	●A Letter of Intent was signed between India and Vietnam to bolster cooperation in training. This includes the exchange of instructors and experts to facilitate knowledge and skill transfer.

Strategic Significance

Comprehensive Strategic Partnership: Defence cooperation is a cornerstone of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between India and Vietnam. This partnership plays a critical role in enhancing bilateral relations and mutual security interests.
India's Act East Policy: Vietnam is a key partner in India's Act East Policy, which aims to strengthen ties with Southeast Asian nations and promote regional stability.
Indo-Pacific Region: Both countries view each other as important allies in the Indo-Pacific region, which is strategically significant for global maritime security and economic activities.

Vietnam

●Vietnam is located in Southeast Asia, it shares borders with China, Laos, and Cambodia, and also has maritime borders with Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Malaysia.

●The capital is Hanoi, while the largest city is Ho Chi Minh City, also known as Saigon.

●The country's land is mostly hilly and forested, with mountains accounting for 40% of the land area. Fansipan, the highest mountain in Vietnam, stands at 3,143 m.

India-Vietnam Relations

Historical Context and Diplomatic Relations

Early Ties: India and Vietnam have shared a deep historical connection, with leaders Mahatma Gandhi and President Ho Chi Minh exchanging messages during their respective independence struggles. India played a role in the Geneva Accord of 1954 as a Co-Chairman of the International Commission for Supervision and Control.
Diplomatic Milestones: India initially established consulate-level relations with both North and South Vietnam and formally established full diplomatic relations with Vietnam in 1972.
Partnership Evolution: In 2016, relations were upgraded to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Vietnam. The “Joint Vision for Peace, Prosperity, and People” was adopted in December 2020, guiding the bilateral relationship.

Political Exchanges

High-Level Visits: Notable exchanges include Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visits to Vietnam and meetings with Vietnamese leaders at international summits. Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar have also engaged with Vietnamese counterparts.
Recent Developments: In 2023, there were several significant visits, including those by the Vietnamese Minister of National Defence and India’s Defence Minister, reflecting strong defence ties. Regular high-level meetings continue to reinforce bilateral relations.

Institutional Mechanisms

Joint Commissions and Dialogues: The India-Vietnam Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) and other dialogues like the Foreign Office Consultations and Strategic Dialogue facilitate comprehensive reviews and cooperation across various sectors.
Defence and Security: Defense cooperation is framed by agreements such as the Memorandum of Understanding on Defence Cooperation and Joint Vision Statements. Recent activities include the gifting of an indigenously built missile corvette and participation in military exercises.

Trade, Economic, and Development Cooperation

Trade Relations: Bilateral trade reached approximately USD 14.82 billion in the fiscal year 2023-24. Major exports from India include engineering goods and agricultural products, while imports from Vietnam comprise electronics and machinery.
Investment: India’s investments in Vietnam are around USD 2 billion, focusing on sectors like energy and pharmaceuticals. Vietnam’s investments in India are notably smaller but growing.
Development Projects: India supports development in Vietnam through Quick Impact Projects (QIPs) and conservation efforts, including the restoration of UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Defence Cooperation

Strategic Partnership: The strategic defence relationship includes high-level meetings, joint military exercises, and significant equipment exchanges like the INS Kirpan missile corvette.
Collaborative Efforts: Ongoing military-to-military exchanges, training programs, and joint exercises enhance defence collaboration.

Cultural, Academic, and Provincial Exchanges

Cultural Links: The Buddhist connection and various cultural exchanges reflect the deep historical ties. Vietnamese Buddhist leaders have participated in major events in India, highlighting shared cultural heritage.
Academic and Think Tank Cooperation: Agreements with Indian and Vietnamese academic institutions foster research and academic exchanges, including conferences and fellowship programs.

Regional and Global Engagement

ASEAN and Regional Cooperation: Both countries collaborate within regional frameworks like ASEAN and Mekong Ganga Cooperation, working on projects that benefit local communities and enhance regional integration.

Importance for Vietnam

●Economic Diversification: Vietnam values its relationship with India as part of its strategy to diversify its economic partnerships and reduce dependency on any single country or region.

●Maritime Security: Vietnam views India as a critical partner in addressing maritime security challenges in the South China Sea, given India’s growing naval capabilities and interest in maintaining a rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific region.

●Technical and Financial Assistance: India’s support in terms of technical expertise and financial assistance is crucial for Vietnam’s development goals, particularly in infrastructure and human resource development.

Importance for India

●Geopolitical Strategy: Vietnam is strategically important for India’s “Act East” policy, which aims to strengthen ties with countries in the Asia-Pacific region. Vietnam's location in the South China Sea makes it a valuable partner in maintaining regional security and stability.

●Economic Opportunities: Vietnam presents significant opportunities for Indian businesses due to its growing market and economic reforms. The country is seen as a promising destination for Indian investments and trade.

●Balancing China: Strengthening ties with Vietnam helps India counterbalance China’s growing influence in the region. Cooperation with Vietnam is part of India’s broader strategy to enhance its strategic footprint in the Indo-Pacific.

Challenges

Geopolitical Tensions:

South China Sea Dispute: Vietnam’s territorial disputes in the South China Sea with China sometimes complicate its relations with India. India’s support for Vietnam's position can strain its relations with China.
Regional Competition: The competition for influence in the Indo-Pacific region presents challenges for India and Vietnam as they navigate their relationships with other major powers.

Economic Challenges:

Trade Imbalances: Despite growing trade, there are concerns about trade imbalances and barriers that may hinder the growth of bilateral economic ties.
Investment Barriers: Indian businesses face challenges related to regulatory and bureaucratic hurdles in Vietnam, which can affect investment flows.

Way Forward

Enhanced Cooperation:

Deepening Strategic Ties: India and Vietnam should continue to deepen their strategic partnership by enhancing defence cooperation, joint exercises, and intelligence sharing.
Economic Integration: Both countries should work on improving trade policies and investment environments to foster greater economic integration and mutual benefits.

Regional Collaboration:

Strengthening Multilateral Ties: India and Vietnam should collaborate in regional forums such as the ASEAN-India framework, the East Asia Summit, and the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation to address shared regional issues and enhance their influence.

Addressing Challenges:

Managing Geopolitical Tensions: Both nations should adopt a diplomatic approach to manage their geopolitical challenges, including balancing their relations with China and other regional powers.
Promoting Business Environment: Both governments need to address regulatory and operational challenges to facilitate smoother business operations and investment flows.

Conclusion

The 14th India-Vietnam Defence Policy Dialogue marked an important step in deepening bilateral defence relations. By addressing emerging areas of concern and reinforcing training cooperation, both countries aim to enhance their strategic partnership and contribute to regional stability and security. This dialogue reflects the ongoing commitment of both nations to strengthen their defence ties and collaborate on various fronts to address common challenges.

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INDIA VIETNAM RELATIONS

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INDEMBASSYHANOI

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. Discuss the strategic significance of the India-Vietnam bilateral relationship in the context of the Indo-Pacific region. How do their strategic interests align, and what role do they play in countering regional challenges?