Defence cooperation is key to the relationship
It is good that India has offered to help Vietnam by way of supplying the indigenously-developed Akash surface-to-air missile systems to the Southeast Asian country. This decision comes close on the heels of signing of a long-pending deal between both the countries last month, where India agreed to coach 30 Vietnamese Air Force pilots to fly Sukhoi fighter jets. Earlier too, India successfully tutored sailors of that country to operate Russian-built Kilo-class submarines. Additionally, India had supplied Naval vessels and BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles to Hanoi in the past. Undoubtedly, there has been a surge in the number of military agreements between the two countries.
The reason for it is not far to guess: The Chinese factor is the common concern that has made both nations to forge closer military ties. India and Vietnam have concerns. As for India, Beijing has constantly been blocking India's bid to join the Nuclear Suppliers Group and to list Masood Azhar as a designated terrorist in the UN. Additionally, India is faced with the dragon's growing Naval might in the Indian Ocean Region. Efforts are on to prevent China from taking control of one of the busiest sea lanes in the world. As for Vietnam, it is engaged in a territorial dispute with the Middle Kingdom. Ever since the end of the Vietnam War, China continues to defy world opinion on the South China Sea. It has built several military bases over there and threatens the Association of Southeast Asian Nations countries if they make territorial claims in the region.
The only solution vis-à-vis growing Chinese belligerence and military clout for both countries is to come together and share their strengths. This exercise kicked off back in the 1990s. The UPA Government under former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh took several key decisions to boost ties with Vietnam. This, despite the Congress’s penchant to play safe and reluctance to go against China. With a change of regime in New Delhi, the Modi Government took the thrust forward more vigorously, and efficiently.
There were several high-level visits, joint exercises, Naval and Air Force training deals, military and technology exchanges. Narendra Modi was the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Vietnam in the past 15 years. The result is that bilateral relations between both the countries have soared from a ‘strategic partnership’ in July 2007 to a ‘comprehensive strategic partnership’ in September last year. The latest decision to supply defence missiles is a progressive step to expand this new partnership. Defence cooperation has been the essence of the relation between the two countries which received a fillip when Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a $500 million line of credit for Vietnam. Both countries have shown equal interest in addressing each other's concerns. India, on its part, has always considered Hanoi to be an important pillar in its look and Act East policy. Together, efforts must be made to sustain this bilateral on an upward trajectory.