Hanoi/New Delhi, May 30 (FN Agency) Amid fresh tensions brewing between Hanoi and Beijing over islets in the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea, India and Vietnam held political consultations on Monday and agreed to enhance bilateral cooperation in the Indo-Pacific and explored new opportunities for partnership to support each other’s economic development and national security. “The discussions covered bilateral, regional and global issues of shared interest between two Comprehensive Strategic Partners,” the MEA said in a tweet. Saurabh Kumar, Secretary (East), MEA visited Hanoi on Monday and co-chaired the 12th round of Political Consultations and the 9th round of Strategic Dialogue between the Foreign Ministries of India and Vietnam with his counterpart, Vice Foreign Minister Nguyen Minh Vu. Both sides reviewed recent developments in their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership guided by the “Joint Vision for Peace, Prosperity and People” adopted by the Prime Ministers of India and Vietnam during their Virtual Summit in December 2020 and the Plan of Action for 2021-2023 signed by their Foreign Ministers, an official statement said.
They expressed satisfaction over the sustained momentum in their multifaceted relations, despite the disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic, with frequent high-level engagements, including the recent telephone conversation between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the General Secretary of Communist Party of Vietnam, Nguyen Phu Trong, as well as the visit of Speaker of Lok Sabha to Vietnam in April 2022. The two sides also discussed future cooperation agenda, including high-level exchanges and activities to mark the 50th anniversary of India-Vietnam Diplomatic Relations this year. Both sides exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual interest, especially in the context of the global impact of COVID-19 pandemic and the on-going crisis in Ukraine, as they explored new opportunities for partnership to support each other’s economic development and national security. Secretary (East) reaffirmed India’s position of regarding Vietnam as a key partner in our Act East Policy and the Indo-Pacific Vision. Secretary (East) conveyed India’s readiness to continue extending development and capacity building assistance to Vietnam through initiatives such as Quick Impact Projects, ITEC and e-ITEC initiatives, PhD fellowships, digital connectivity and heritage conservation. Both sides agreed to enhance physical connectivity and promote tourism and people-to-people exchanges, including by leveraging their shared Buddhist linkages and popularity of Yoga in Vietnam.
Both sides expressed satisfaction over their close coordination at regional and multilateral forums. They agreed to enhance their bilateral cooperation in line with India’s Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative and the ASEAN’s Outlook on Indo-Pacific to achieve shared security, prosperity and growth for all in the region. During his visit, Secretary (East) also called on the Foreign Minister of Vietnam Bui Thanh Son and conveyed to him EAM’s greetings and invitation to visit India in June 2022 for the Special ASEAN-India Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and Delhi Dialogue, the statement said. Vietnam has been upset by China laying claim to the Johnson South Reef, a group of over 100 islands, rocks, reefs, and other features in the South China Sea about 500 miles west of Vietnam’s southern coast. The Spratly Islands, like other islands in the South China Sea, have long been the subject of intense territorial disputes. Beijing has made sweeping claims over the region that have been challenged by its neighbors, including Vietnam. Recently, Vietnam’s government commemorated a deadly 1988 clash with China in the South China Sea. The ceremony was a rare one, as Hanoi has long avoided public discussion on the battle with its larger neighbor. In March, in an unprecedented gesture, Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh paid homage to several dozen Vietnamese sailors and marines who were killed in a battle with Chinese naval forces at Johnson South Reef in 1988. Hanoi has earlier been careful not to antagonise Beijing.