Intensifying India - Vietnam strategic partnership

TIN LIÊN QUAN
	Party, State leader hails first visit by Indian President
	Viet Nam, India issue Joint Statement

In a commentary published by the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses Dr. Arvind Gupta and Dr. Sarita Azad, the term strategic partnership has been discussed. A strategic partnership is a long-term interaction between two countries based on political, economic, social, security and historical factors. These factors manifest itself in a wide variety of relationships. India has signed India has signed a strategic partnership with more than 30 countries.[1] France was the first to sign in 1998 and Vietnam signed in 2007. Though a strategic partnership is not an alliance, there are many aspects which enable countries to interact closely. Vietnam is a close friend of India from 2 BCE.

Party General Secretary, President Nguyen Phu Trong received Indian President Ram Nath Kovind in Hanoi.. (Photo: Nguyễn Hồng)

Based on the need to tackle strategic changes in the region, both countries have been moving closer in their strategic relationship. The first Memorandum of Understanding was signed in 1994, a formal Defence Protocol in 2000 and Strategic Partnership in 2007. This has been upgraded to the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2016. Vietnam has this sort of relationship with only Russia and China.        

Numerous visits have taken place by top leaders of both countries. The latest has been by our President Ram Nath Kovind from 18 to 20 November 2018 and the Chief of Army Staff from 22 to 25 November 2018. During Prime Minister’s visit in 2016, 12 Agreements were signed which included Outer Space, UN Peace Keeping, avoidance of double taxation, Cyber Security, Information Technology, information on white shipping and contract for procurement of Offshore Patrol Vessels.[2]

With regards to the defence issue, there is no doubt that both countries respect the current Permanent Court of Arbitration ruling and they agree to the freedom of navigation on the high seas. To further strengthen our defence relationship India has extended a $500 million dollar Line of Credit for purchase of defence equipment. The equipment to be procured is not known but there is a high probability it could be frigates, submarines or the BrahMos missile. Vietnam has signed a contract with L&T for the purchase of four Offshore Patrol Vessels. In addition, India has given a grant of $ 5 million for the construction of an Army Software Park at the TeleCommunications University in Nha Trang. Further to assist surveillance there will be cooperation in downloading images from Outer Space to provide real-time picture of activities in Vietnam’s Area of Interest.

The Indian President visited My Son Sanctuary in Quang Nam province. (Photo: TTO)

Economic issues formed an important aspect of the visit. Enhancing bilateral economic engagement is a strategic objective. Both countries would do their utmost to increase the bilateral trade to $15 billion by 2020. This would need immense efforts but can be achieved if both countries enhance their business interactions and diversify their range of commercial activities. Further, there must be increased two-way investment especially by private investors of both countries. Prime Minister Modi especially sought contractual facilitation of Tata’s Soc Trang 1320 MW plant at the earliest. Both countries would do their best to enhance exploration of oil and gas in the new blocks allotted for exploration. Connectivity between both the countries needs to be optimised. There is a need for direct nonstop flights, dedicated shipping and land connectivity to be optimised. This would automatically strengthen economic relations between the two countries.

It was indeed creditable that both countries exhibited the highest degree of cooperation in regional and international forums. Vietnam for consistently supported India’s candidature for a permanent seat in the reformed Security Council. It was further decided that India would support Vietnam’s candidature for a non-permanent seat for the term 2020-2021 and Vietnam would similarly support India’s candidature for the same in 2021-2022. Overall India and Vietnam relations moved to a higher trajectory during the visit.

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[1] Arvind Gupta and Sarita Azad, “ Evaluating India’s Strategic Partnerships using Analytical Hierarchy Process” , IDSA  Comment, New Delhi,  September !7, 2011, www.idsa.in, Accessed on  December 2, 2018

[2] Sanghamitra Sarma, “India-Vietnam relations after Modi’s visit”, September 05, 2016, The Diplomat, www.diplomat.com, Accessed on 4 December 2016.

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