News Highlights
As a boost to India – Vietnam relations, both countries signed a “Joint Vision on Defence Partnership Towards 2030”.
Area of Focus
- Other Agreements Signed
- The India – Vietnam also agreed on the early finalisation of the $500 million Defence Line of Credit extended to Vietnam, and the “implementation of the projects shall add substantially to Vietnam’s Defence capabilities”
- India and Vietnam also inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Mutual Logistics Support.
- India will give two simulators and a monetary grant towards the setting up of Language and IT Lab at the Air Force Officers Training School for capacity building of the Vietnamese Armed Forces.
- India and Vietnam “share a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership since 2016 and defence cooperation is a key pillar of this partnership.”
- Vietnam noted “is an important partner in India’s Act East policy and the Indo-Pacific vision” and the two countries “share a rich history of civilizational and cultural linkages spanning over 2,000 years.”
India – Vietnam Defence Relation
- While Vietnam wants to modernise its armed forces, India wants to ensure that its South-East Asian allies have sufficient defence capability to keep the crucial region peaceful.
- India’s Akash surface-to-air missiles, Dhruv advanced light helicopters, and Brahmos missiles have attracted Vietnam’s interest.
- Aside from that, defence relations include capacity building, dealing with similar security challenges, personnel training, and defence R&D cooperation.
- Both countries underlined the robust defence cooperation between India and Vietnam, which is a crucial pillar of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (2016).
- The Indian Naval Ship INS Kiltan paid a visit to Ho Chi Minh City to provide flood relief supplies to Central Vietnamese residents.
- It also took part in the PASSEX Exercise with the People’s Navy of Vietnam.
- Areas of Defence Engagement Recent Times
- Defence Policy Dialogues, military to military exchanges, high-level visits, capacity building and training programs, cooperation in UN Peacekeeping, ship visits and bilateral exercises
Significance of India – Vietnam Relation
- India – Vietnam cordial relation is vital to check the rise of China in the Indo – Pacific region.
- Vietnam is only country in the South China Sea which strongly opposing China’s aggression and claims in the region through which India’s 55% trade passes
- To get ASEAN support for India’s ideas, the Vietnam support is vital.
Where is Vietnam ?
- Capital – Hanoi
- It is a country in Southeast Asia
- Borders
- Land Borders
- North – China
- West – Laos and Cambodia
- Maritime Borders
- Gulf of Thailand – Thailand
- South China Sea – Philippines, Indonesia, and Malaysia
- Land Borders
Way Forward
- India – Vietnam relations can be further boosted by using soft power by using cultural links like Buddhism.
Pic Courtesy : New Indian Express
Content Source: Indian Express