New Delhi, June 1 (Agency) Amid Hanoi’s rising maritime tensions with China, India and Vietnam on Wednesday held the Third Maritime Security Dialogue in New Delhi, during which they reviewed ongoing cooperation initiatives in the maritime domain and avenues of reinforcing international and regional mechanisms for comprehensive maritime security. MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi in a tweet said the two sides discussed ways to sustain a secure maritime environment conducive for inclusive growth. “3rd India-Vietnam Maritime Security Dialogue held today in New Delhi. “Senior officials from the respective Ministries and Services concerned with maritime affairs participated in the Dialogue. “The two sides discussed ways to sustain a secure maritime environment conducive for inclusive growth. “Also reviewed maritime cooperation initiatives and avenues of reinforcing international and regional mechanisms for comprehensive maritime security.”
The Indian delegation was led by Muanpuii Saiawi, Joint Secretary (Disarmament & International Security Affairs), Ministry of External Affairs and the Vietnamese delegation by Ambassador Trinh Duc Hai, Vice Chairman, National Boundary Commission. The delegations comprised senior officials from the respective Ministries and Services concerned with maritime affairs, a statement said. The dialogue comes as Indian Naval Ships INS Delhi and INS Satpura held the PASSEX exercise in the sea off the Da Nang coast with Vietnam People’s Navy ship on successful completion of their port visit last week, the Indian Embassy tweeted. During the dialogue, the two sides conferred on ways to sustain a secure maritime environment conducive for inclusive growth and global well-being. They reviewed ongoing cooperation initiatives in the maritime domain and avenues of reinforcing international and regional mechanisms for comprehensive maritime security. Both sides vowed to further strengthen their shared efforts and existing frameworks in areas such as marine scientific research,
Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR), maritime connectivity and maritime security, including Navy and Coast Guard co-operation, maritime law enforcement and capacity building. It was agreed to hold the next round of the Dialogue in Vietnam on a mutually convenient date, it said. The India-Vietnam talks come amid the backdrop of tensions between China and Hanoi after a Chinese survey vessel and its escorts entered Vietnam’s exclusive waters. Vietnam and China have long been embroiled in a territorial dispute over a potentially energy-rich stretch in the South China Sea, a strategic waterway through which more than $3 trillion of commerce passes annually. “Vietnam demands that China immediately remove the survey ship Xiang Yang Hong 10, Chinese coast guard ships and fishing vessels out of Vietnam’s waters,” Vietnamese foreign ministry spokesperson Pham Thu Hang said in a government statement. Vietnam has also criticised a Chinese research ship for venturing in its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).