India–Vietnam Relations: Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership

Syllabus: GS2/International Relations

Context

• Recently, India and Vietnam elevated their bilateral ties to an ‘Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership’ during the visit of the Vietnamese President to India.

India–Vietnam Relations

• Historical Evolution: India and Vietnam share ancient cultural ties through Buddhism, Hindu influence in Champa civilization, and maritime trade connections
• Modern Diplomatic Relations: Diplomatic ties established in 1972.
  • Vietnam supported India’s anti-colonial and non-aligned positions. India backed Vietnam during reconstruction after the war.
  • 2007: Strategic Partnership established;
  • 2016: Relations upgraded to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership;
  • 2026: Elevated to Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership;
• Vietnam was the first ASEAN country with which India established a Strategic Partnership.

Key Highlights of the 2026 Visit

• Trade and Economic Cooperation: Trade doubled in the last decade to $16 billion; and it sets a new target of $25 billion by 2030.
  • Agricultural Access: India to export grapes and pomegranates; and Vietnam to export Durian and Pomelo.
  • Signed Agreements: The two countries signed 11 agreements covering rare earth cooperation, cultural exchange, manuscript preservation, digital payments, and urban governance.
• Defence and Security Cooperation: Major areas of cooperation include joint military exercises, maritime security, defence industry collaboration, joint research and co-production, hydrography cooperation, naval port calls, air force engagements, search and rescue operations.
  • MAHASAGAR Vision: Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions.
• Indo-Pacific and South China Sea: Both countries emphasized freedom of navigation, peaceful resolution of disputes, adherence to international law, and UNCLOS 1982 compliance.
  • The joint statement indirectly referred to China’s aggressive posture by stressing non-militarization, self-restraint, and rules-based maritime order.

Significance of India–Vietnam Relations

• Strategic Convergence in Indo-Pacific: Both support a free, open, inclusive Indo-Pacific; and shared concerns regarding Chinese assertiveness.
• Maritime Cooperation: Cooperation in blue economy, maritime domain awareness, and naval engagements.
• Defence Partnership: Vietnam is one of India’s strongest defence partners in ASEAN.
  • India supports training of Vietnamese armed forces, defence credit lines, and indigenous defence exports.
• Economic Complementarity:
  • India: pharmaceuticals, IT, agriculture
  • Vietnam: electronics, manufacturing, supply-chain integration
• ASEAN Centrality: Vietnam acts as a bridge between India and ASEAN.

Related Challenges and Concerns

• China Factor: Chinese assertiveness in the South China Sea creates regional tensions. India needs to balance strategic interests carefully.
• Trade Imbalance and Limited Connectivity: Trade potential remains underutilized; and direct shipping and air connectivity remain inadequate.
• Slow Defence Industrial Cooperation: Need for faster implementation of defence projects; and limited joint manufacturing so far.
• ASEAN Geopolitical Sensitivities: ASEAN nations avoid overt anti-China positioning; India needs to maintain strategic diplomacy.
• Supply Chain Vulnerabilities: Dependence on China in manufacturing and critical minerals remains high.

Way Forward: Strengthening India–Vietnam Relations

• Expand Defence Manufacturing: Joint production of naval systems, missiles, and surveillance technologies.
• Improve Connectivity: Direct maritime corridors, increased flight connectivity, and digital trade platforms.
• Strengthen Supply Chain Resilience: Cooperation in rare earths, semiconductors, and electronics manufacturing.
• Enhance Maritime Cooperation: Joint patrols, white shipping agreements, and information sharing.
• Boost Cultural and Educational Exchanges: Buddhist diplomacy, academic partnerships, and tourism cooperation.
• Greater Engagement through ASEAN: Deepen India’s role in East Asia Summit; and ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM+).

Source: TH