Deepening Strategic Partnership
Vietnam’s Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh is on a three-day visit to India, focusing on strengthening defence and economic ties. This visit underscores the commitment of both countries to enhance their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, a relationship that was elevated during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Vietnam in 2016.
Prime Minister Modi’s “Act East” policy, which succeeded the “Look East” policy, has been instrumental in fast-tracking engagement with ASEAN and other East Asian countries. This policy aims to promote a safe, secure, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region, counterbalancing expansionist ambitions in the area.
Trade and Defence
Bilateral trade between India and Vietnam has surged to $15 billion, a significant increase from just a couple of hundred million dollars a decade ago. Both nations are keen on further boosting engagement in sectors such as electronics, telecommunications, pharmaceuticals, clean energy, and the digital economy.
Defence cooperation is a key highlight of PM Pham Minh Chinh’s visit. In 2023, India gifted the missile corvette INS Kirpan to the Vietnam People’s Navy, emphasizing its commitment to deepening defence ties. In 2022, India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh visited Vietnam to hand over 12 high-speed guard boats built with Indian assistance. Current discussions may include potential acquisitions of Indian BrahMos missiles and the Akash surface-to-air missile system.
Cultural and Civilisational History
Beyond strategic and economic engagements, the two countries share deep cultural and civilizational ties, which have the potential to enhance mutual trust through people-to-people relationships. Ancient texts mention Jambudvipa, or Bharatvarsha, which included East Asia and Vietnam, historically known as Champadesh.
A temple in Ho Chi Minh City, dedicated to the Mariamman Goddess, highlights the strong cultural linkages. Built in the 1880s by the Tamil community, the temple attracts worshippers from various ethnicities, reflecting a shared religious heritage. This connection is further established through Cambodian Khmer cultural and religious practices, linking Vietnamese and Indian forms of worship.
Looking Ahead
As India and Vietnam strengthen their partnership, exploring and promoting these shared historical practices can enhance people-to-people connections and deepen mutual trust. This visit by the Vietnamese Prime Minister marks a significant milestone, and it is anticipated that Prime Minister Modi may reciprocate with a visit to Vietnam in the near future to further solidify the relationship between the two countries.