As tensions escalate in the South China Sea, India and Vietnam are reinforcing their strategic partnership, particularly focusing on maritime security and defence cooperation. This collaboration is crucial for promoting stability in the Indo-Pacific region, with both nations committed to protecting freedom of navigation and overflight in these contested waters.
Expanding Maritime Cooperation
The 4th India-Vietnam Maritime Security Dialogue, held on August 16, 2024, in Hanoi, marked a significant step in the bilateral relationship. Senior officials from India and Vietnam reviewed existing maritime cooperation initiatives and explored new opportunities for collaboration on international and regional platforms. The dialogue aimed to create a conducive environment for mutual growth and global well-being, with a strong emphasis on maritime security.
During the dialogue, both sides agreed to enhance cooperation in key areas such as Marine Scientific Research, Ocean Economy, Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR), Navy and Coast Guard cooperation, and maritime law enforcement. The Indian delegation was led by Ms Muanpuii Saiawi, Joint Secretary of Disarmament & International Security Affairs, while the Vietnamese side was represented by Trinh Duc Hai, Vice Chairman of the National Boundary Commission. It was also agreed that the next round of dialogue would be held in New Delhi at a mutually convenient time.
Strengthening Defence Ties
India and Vietnam have been steadily deepening their defence ties, particularly in the maritime domain. This includes the delivery of a missile corvette from India to Vietnam, port visits by Indian Navy vessels, and participation in joint military exercises. These efforts reflect a shared commitment to enhancing defence cooperation and ensuring maritime security in the region.
In December 2023, Indian Armed Forces personnel participated in the fourth edition of exercise VINBAX in Vietnam. This exercise focused on building collaborative partnerships, improving interoperability, and sharing best practices in line with the United Nations Charter’s provisions on peacekeeping operations. The exercise involved command post and field training drills, as well as the deployment of an engineer company and medical team.
Additionally, India gifted the missile corvette INS Kirpan to Vietnam in June 2023. This domestically built ship has played a crucial role in both military and humanitarian missions since its commissioning in 1991. The port visit of the Indian Navy destroyer INS Delhi and the multirole frigate INS Satpura to Da Nang in May 2023 further solidified bilateral ties and enhanced naval cooperation and interoperability.
Regional Stability and Multilateral Cooperation
The Indo-Pacific region faces numerous challenges, including threats to peace, stability, and sustainable development. During the Raisina Dialogue conference in New Delhi in February 2024, Vietnamese Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Do Hung Viet emphasized the importance of multilateral cooperation and constructive dialogue for ensuring regional prosperity.
The comprehensive strategic partnership between India and Vietnam, established in 2016, covers a broad range of areas, with defence and security being central to their cooperation. Both nations share concerns about freedom of navigation, territorial integrity, and adherence to international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). These shared concerns have led India and Vietnam to adopt a unified stance against actions that threaten regional stability.
A Secure and Prosperous Indo-Pacific
India and Vietnam’s partnership is crucial for ensuring a secure maritime environment in the Indo-Pacific region. During the third India-Vietnam Maritime Security Dialogue in New Delhi in May 2023, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to upholding the rules-based international order and ensuring regional stability. This commitment was further highlighted during a meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on the sidelines of the Group of Seven summit in Japan.
On August 1, 2024, Prime Minister Modi and Prime Minister Chinh held comprehensive talks in New Delhi, focusing on deepening economic and defence ties. India pledged two credit lines totalling US$300 million to enhance Vietnam’s maritime security capabilities. The talks concluded with the adoption of a Plan of Action for implementing the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between India and Vietnam for the 2024-2028 period. Additionally, the leaders virtually inaugurated an Army Software Park at the Telecommunications University in Nha Trang, which was funded by an Indian grant of US$5 million.