India–Vietnam Relations: Deepening Strategic Partnership in the Indo-Pacific

Syllabus: GS2/International Relations

Context

• India and Vietnam recently agreed to deepen defence and security cooperation, including co-production of Indian defence equipment, amid China’s growing assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific.

About India–Vietnam Relations

• India and Vietnam share a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, rooted in civilisational links, convergent strategic interests and support for a free, open, inclusive and rules-based Indo-Pacific.
• Vietnam is a key pillar of India’s Act East Policy, Vision MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions) and India’s engagement with ASEAN.
• The relationship was elevated to an Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during Vietnamese General Secretary and President To Lam’s State Visit to India in May 2026, making Vietnam the first country in the region with which India has bilateral ties at this level.

Historical Evolution & Present Status

• Diplomatic relations were established in 1972, building upon longstanding civilisational and anti-colonial linkages.
• The relationship was elevated to a Strategic Partnership in 2007 and a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2016.
• The 19th India–Vietnam Joint Commission Meeting (JCM), co-chaired by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Vietnamese Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung, reviewed the entire spectrum of bilateral relations.
• The ministers noted that high-level exchanges, including two Vietnamese State Visits, have provided renewed momentum.
• The two sides agreed to observe 2027 as the Year of India–Vietnam Friendship, marking 55 years of diplomatic relations.

Key Areas of Cooperation

• Defence and Security: Defence cooperation is a central pillar of the Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
  • It has expanded from defence exchanges to military-to-military dialogue, capacity building and training across all three services.
  • India gifted the indigenously built missile corvette INS Kirpan to Vietnam in 2023.
  • 12 high-speed guard boats were handed over in 2022 under a US$100 million Indian Line of Credit.
  • Two further Lines of Credit worth US$120 million and US$180 million were signed between both countries in 2024 and are currently being implemented.
  • Both countries now seek co-production of Indian defence items, potentially strengthening defence-industrial cooperation and supply-chain resilience.
• Trade, Connectivity and Economic Cooperation: The countries are working to expand trade, investment and mutually beneficial supply chains, alongside greater market access for Indian marine and agricultural products and pharmaceuticals.
  • Cooperation covers financial, port and air connectivity.
• Emerging and Societal Sectors: New areas include nuclear energy, space cooperation, heritage conservation, standards for seafarers, capacity building and people-to-people ties.
  • Vietnam’s participation in India’s Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) and the growing popularity of Yoga in Vietnam further strengthen societal and strategic linkages.

Concerns & Issues

• China Factor: Vietnam’s territorial disputes with China in the South China Sea and China’s growing Indo-Pacific assertiveness create both strategic convergence and geopolitical sensitivities.
• Trade imbalance and market-access barriers remain areas requiring attention.
• Limited connectivity and relatively modest economic integration constrain the full potential of bilateral commerce.
• Defence cooperation needs greater technology transfer, indigenous manufacturing and institutionalised supply chains.

India’s Efforts for Deepening Strategic Partnership

• India has prioritised Vietnam through the Act East Policy, enhanced defence engagement, Lines of Credit, defence equipment transfers, training and capacity building.
• Engagement through ASEAN-led mechanisms and IPOI further embeds the bilateral relationship in the wider Indo-Pacific architecture.

Way Forward

• India and Vietnam should translate the Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership into concrete defence co-production projects, resilient supply chains and stronger maritime cooperation.
• Faster implementation of Lines of Credit, improved connectivity, greater trade diversification, cooperation in space and nuclear energy, and enhanced coordination in ASEAN and multilateral forums can deepen the partnership.
• The relationship can serve as an important pillar of a stable, secure and rules-based Indo-Pacific, while contributing to India’s broader Act East and MAHASAGAR objectives.

Source: IE