A study of India Vietnam strategic partnership challenges and prospects

Abstract

This research work focuses on the strategic partnership between India-Vietnam. It discusses the geo-strategic significance of Vietnam as well as the challenges and prospects of the India-Vietnam relationship. The significance of China s growing influence and footprints in the Indo-Pacific Region and its impact on India-Vietnam relations has also been included in this study. It also discusses the role of India s Look East and Act East policy in strengthening India-Vietnam relations. This research work is based on both primary and secondary data sources. The study highlights that the geo-political relations of Vietnam with its regional, extra-regional and international organisations play a very significant role in its foreign policy. Since the colonial era, India-Vietnam have maintained close linkages, and their bilateral bond became even more stronger in the twentieth century. Both the nations are in favour of developing an open, balanced, and comprehensive regional security balance and support freedom of navigation, open commerce, and compliance with international law. Bilateral cooperation between India and ASEAN has grown substantially since the implementation of the Look East policy in 1991 and Act East Policy in 2014. India-Vietnam ties further strengthened in September 2016 when Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Vietnam and signed a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with his Vietnamese counterpart. Economic, Defence and Security relations between both countries steadily expanded after signing that agreement. To conclude, India and Vietnam have been able to forge a solid alliance through cooperating on various trade and economic sectors. Traditional military cooperation has been extended to include the exchange of intelligence, port calls, military personnel training, capacity building, and Lines of Credit for defence acquisition. newline newline newline