The topic regarding India- Vietnam relations is an important feature of the GS-2 Paper in the UPSC Mains Examination. This article will analyse how far the relations between the two nations have fostered over the years.
India-Vietnam Relations – UPSC Notes:- Download PDF Here
Aspiring civil service candidates need to have a firm grip on the latest developments in India’s evolving diplomatic relations with various countries, as it is an important part of the IAS Exam.
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India-Vietnam Relations – Background
India-Vietnam relations have been exceptionally friendly and cordial since their foundations were laid by Prime Minister Nehru and President Ho Chi Minh more than 50 years ago. The traditionally close and cordial relations have their historical roots in the common struggle for liberation from foreign rule and the national struggle for independence. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru was one of the first visitors to Vietnam after its victory against the French at the battle of Dien Bien Phu in 1954.
President Ho Chi Minh went to India in February 1958. President Rajendra Prasad visited Vietnam in 1959. In recent times, political contacts have strengthened as reflected in several high-level visits by leaders from both sides. Trade and economic linkages continue to grow. India’s thrust under the ‘Look East’ policy combined with Vietnam’s growing engagement within the region and with India has paid rich dividends. Vietnam is an important regional partner in South East Asia. India and Vietnam closely cooperate in various regional forums such as ASEAN, East Asia Summit, Mekong Ganga Cooperation, Asia Europe Meeting (ASEM) besides UN and World Trade Organisation (WTO).
Developments Regarding India-Vietnam Relations
Since 1992, the bi-lateral ties between India and Vietnam have developed extensively in many fields such as economic ties, agriculture and manufacturing. Not being limited to economic reasons alone, there has been extensive fostering of bilateral military cooperation that includes sale of military equipment, sharing of intelligence, joint naval exercises and training in counterinsurgency and jungle warfare.
Some of the more recent developments are highlighted below:
Commercial and economic ties
During President Pranab Mukherjee’s visit to Vietnam in 2014, India and Vietnam signed seven agreements, including one for enhanced cooperation in the oil sector. The details of the agreements are given in the table below:
|
S.No. |
Name of Agreement/MoU |
Description of the Agreement/MoU |
|---|---|---|
| 01 | Agreement on Cooperation and Mutual Assistance in Customs Matters |
|
| 02 | MoU on $ 100 million Line of Credit for Defence Procurement |
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| 03 | MoU in the field of Animal Health |
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| 04 | MoU in the Field of Setting up of Pangasius Breeding and Farming in India. |
The joint activities shall be environmentally sound and sustainable. Annual Work Plan will be drawn and a Joint Technical Committee shall be formed to provide guidance, review progress and facilitate cooperation. |
| 05 | MoU in Youth Affairs |
|
| 06 | Letter of Intent between ONGC Videsh Limited, India and Vietnam Oil and Gas Group (PetroVietnam). |
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| 07 | MoU between Jet Airways (India) and Vietnam Airlines Company Limited. |
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During President Trần Đại Quang state visit to India in March 2018, a total of three agreements – two Mou’s and one Work Plan – were signed between India and Vietnam. The details of the agreements are highlighted below:
| List of MoUs/Agreements signed during the State visit of President of Vietnam to India (March 03, 2018) | ||
| S.NO | Name of MoU/Agreement | Purpose of the MoU/Agreement |
| 1 | MoU on Economic and Trade Cooperation. | The MoU provides for an establishment of a framework for enhancing economic and trade promotion. |
| 2 | Work Plan for the years 2018-2022 between the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Vietnam. | The Work Plan’s main objective is to promote cooperation in transfer of technology and exchange of visits of technical experts in the fields of agriculture and allied |
| 3 | MoU on Cooperation between the Global Centre for Nuclear Energy Partnership, India (GCNEP) and the Vietnam Atomic Energy Institute (VINATOM). | The MoU aims to strengthen the technical cooperation in the field of atomic energy for peaceful purposes. |
Strategic cooperation
India and Vietnam are both members of the Mekong–Ganga Cooperation, which is created with the aim to develop and enhance close ties between India and nations of Southeast Asia.
Vietnam has been a close supporter of India’s bid for a permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and also supported India’s membership to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC).
In a 2003 joint declaration, India and Vietnam collaborated on creating an “Arc of Advantage and Prosperity” in Southeast Asia. For this purpose Vietnam has done much to support the increasing significance of the relationship between India and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and its negotiation of an Indo-ASEAN free trade agreement.India and Vietnam have also built strategic partnerships, including extensive cooperation on developing nuclear power, enhancing regional security and fighting terrorism, transnational crime and drug trafficking.
With a view to enhance Indian and Vietnamese military relations, the Indian Navy has been welcomed many times. Vietnam has also accepted Indian support for a peaceful resolution of the territorial disputes in the South China Sea. Indian Foreign Minister Salman Khurshid refers to Vietnam as one of the pillars of India’s “Look East” policy. In 2018, India and Vietnam conducted their first bilateral naval exercise together, in Vietnamese waters.
India-Vietnam Relations – UPSC Notes:- Download PDF Here
Frequently Asked Questions on India-Vietnam Relations
Q 1. How are the diplomatic ties between India and Vietnam?
Q 2. Is there an Indian diaspora in Vietnam?
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