EVENT NOTE
INDIA’S
FOREIGN POLICY
AND VIETNAM
President Ram Nath Kovind and Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen
Xuan Phuc exchange greetings at a meeting at Government House in
Hanoi, Vietnam, Tuesday, Nov 20, 2018
BY SONU TRIVEDI*
O
ver the years, Vietnam has emerged as a signifi cant
player in India’s foreign policy projection — a
partner in sub-regional, regional, and multilateral
fora. It is an integral member of the Association of Southeast
Asian Nations (ASEAN) and plays an important role in
India’s Act East policy. India is one of the three countries with
whom Vietnam shares Comprehensive Strategic Partnership,
together with China and Russia.
The elevation of the strategic partnership between the two
countries to that of comprehensive strategic partnership is a clear
indication of goodwill, trust and importance the two countries
place on their relationship. It is also an acknowledgment of the
existing strong bilateral defence and security ties and our mutual
desire to contribute to regional peace, stability, cooperation
and prosperity. Moving beyond the ideological linkages, both
countries have endeavoured to revamp their relations in the
changing geo-politics of the Indo-Pacifi c.
From strategic partnership in 2007 to a comprehensive
partnership in 2016, the two countries have built up synergies
for deeper cooperation between them. These have been
envisaged in a multi-faceted and a multi-sectoral cooperation
on a wide range of issues covering political, defence and
security relations; trade and commerce; energy cooperation;
science and technology; capacity building; connectivity links;
health, education, culture, tourism and people-to-people
exchange; and cooperation in international, regional and
sub-regional forums.
Amidst Vietnam’s quest for multiple partners in Asia and
beyond, India has been of very special strategic interest to
Vietnam. Over the years, New Delhi has gradually expanded
its defence and naval cooperation with Vietnam and assisted in
its eff orts in modernising the military force. India’s outreach
to Vietnam has been a clear indication of its open challenge
to China in its backyard. It is believed that Vietnam’s growing
engagement with India will also lead to a stable balance of
power and as a security provider in the region.
Internal synergies between India and Vietnam have also
played a signifi cant role in bringing the two countries on the
same page, building upon mutual trust and cooperation over
the years. Vietnam as an emerging ‘middle power’ and India
as a ‘net security provider’ in the region has the convergence
which makes them an ideal partner for all seasons at the sub-
regional, regional and multilateral forums.
Given the cultural-religious linkages – based on their
closer association with the historical kingdoms, the impact
of Buddhist philosophy to the anti-imperialist struggle
during the colonial rule, and foreign intervention during
the Second World War and thereafter – both the countries
have developed closer ties and a shared destiny based on a
shared world view.
* Sonu Trivedi is a Fellow at Nehru Memorial Museum
and Library and Honorary Director, Centre for Vietnam
Studies, New Delhi
Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Diplomatist • Vol 6 • Issue 10 • Oct-Nov 2018, Noida • 63