GS Paper II

News Excerpt:

Recently, India and Vietnam firmed up an action plan to expand their strategic ties.

Key Points:

• India asserts that both sides will work towards a free and rules-based Indo-Pacific and that New Delhi supports development and not “expansionism”.
• This stance could be an indirect message to China which has laid claim to most of the South China Sea region.

Expanding Cooperation in Various Sectors

• The meeting underscored the desire to expand cooperation beyond defence, delving into areas such as semiconductor and green technology, artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and climate action. 
• The inauguration of the “Army Software Park” in Vietnam, facilitated by India’s support, stands as a testament to this commitment. 
• This educational facility, located at the Tele-Communications University in Nha Trang, will equip Vietnamese soldiers with vital digital skills, enhancing their capabilities in an increasingly digital world.

Strategic Agreements and MoUs:

The visit also saw the signing of multiple Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs), further solidifying the bilateral ties between India and Vietnam. These agreements cover a broad spectrum of sectors:

• Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (2024-2028): An MoU was exchanged by Vietnam’s Foreign Minister and India’s External Affairs Minister to advance the partnership between the two countries.
• Customs Capacity Building: An agreement between the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) of India and the General Department of Vietnam Customs was signed, aiming to enhance cooperation in customs.
• Agricultural Collaboration: The Central Agricultural University in Imphal, Manipur, and the Vietnam Academy of Agricultural Sciences in Hanoi inked an MoU to collaborate on agriculture, research, and education.
• Legal Cooperation: An MoU between the Ministry of Law and Justice of India and Vietnam’s Ministry of Justice was signed to foster cooperation in the legal field.
• Media Cooperation: Prasar Bharati and the Voice of Vietnam signed an agreement to collaborate on radio and television content.
• Credit Line Agreements: Two credit line agreements, each worth USD 120 million, were exchanged between the Vietnamese Ministry of Finance and the Export-Import Bank of India, supporting various projects in Vietnam.
• Cultural Conservation: A letter of intent was exchanged for the restoration and conservation of the My Son UNESCO World Heritage site, highlighting the cultural ties between the two nations.   

Relation Between India and Vietnam:

• Various dimensions of India-Vietnam relations have both expanded and deepened in the last one decade. 
• In the last 10 years, they have transformed their relations into a comprehensive strategic partnership.
• Buddhism is a shared heritage, which has connected the people of both countries at a spiritual level. India invites people from Vietnam to the Buddhist circuit in India and wants the youth of Vietnam to also take advantage of Nalanda University.
• In the defence sector, India and Vietnam have a history of cooperation, with India providing training and capacity-building support to the Vietnamese military. 
• The two countries are looking to deepen this cooperation further, with discussions on joint exercises, equipment procurement, and technology transfers. 
• This partnership is essential for maintaining regional peace and security, particularly in the context of rising tensions in the South China Sea. 

Vietnamese Prime minister’s Stance:

• He expressed gratitude towards the Indian leader for extending his condolences on former Communist Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong's death and sending National Security Adviser for his funeral. 
• He also lauded India's important role during the Covid-19 pandemic in the distribution of vaccines, as Vietnam imported a large quantity of Indian medicines.
• The Vietnamese Prime Minister also extended an invitation to the Indian Prime Minister to visit Vietnam, saying the strategic partnership between the two countries has reached a new period.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, the meeting between Indian Prime Ministers and Vietnamese PM marks a significant step in advancing the India-Vietnam relationship. By focusing on trade, maritime security, and defence, the two nations are poised to strengthen their partnership, contributing to regional stability and prosperity. The comprehensive strategic partnership continues to evolve, reflecting the shared interests and common goals of both countries in an increasingly complex global landscape.