Relationships between India and Vietnam are firmly grounded in their shared battle for independence from foreign rule.
Friendly ties were greatly facilitated by leaders like Prime Minister Nehru, President Rajendra Prasad, and President Ho Chi Minh.
High-Level Visits:
Regular high-level visits between the two nations have boosted political ties.
There have been notable visits to India, including that of President Truong Tan Sang in 2011, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung in 2012, and General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong in 2013.
Bilateral agreements and joint statements have been produced as a result of these visits.
On June 20, 2023, India presented Vietnam with the INS Kripan in honour of General Phan Van Gang’s visit.
Institutionalized Mechanisms:
To promote bilateral encounters, numerous institutionalised methods have been established.
Platforms for collaboration in several areas include the Joint Commission Meeting, Foreign Office Consultations, Strategic Dialogue, and Joint Committees on Science and Technology and Educational Exchange.
Economic and Commercial Engagement:
India and Vietnam’s economic ties have been progressively strengthening.
Vietnam’s top 10 economic partners include India, and bilateral trade has been steadily increasing.
Clothing and textiles, medicines, agro-commodities, leather and footwear, and engineering are important areas of collaboration.
India has made almost $1 billion in investments in Vietnam, and more is anticipated.
Energy, mineral exploration, agro-processing, sugar production, IT, and auto components are some of the major investment industries.
Vietnamese businesses now have a foothold in India, aiding in the country’s economic growth.
Defence Collaboration:
The strategic alliance now stands on a fundamental pillar of defence collaboration. Both nations frequently engage in naval drills and port visits.
The Vietnamese military has received training and aid from India.
In addition, India gave Vietnam a lot of military equipment as gifts, which helped them strengthen their armed forces.
Science and Technology:
The importance of science and technology cooperation is evident in the signing of memoranda of understanding and agreements on atomic energy for peaceful purposes, IT collaboration, cyber security, and space exploration.
There is room for expansion in the information technology and renewable energy industries.
Gen. Phan visited the DRDO’s headquarters while in India and spoke with staff members there about methods to improve “defence industrial capabilities by cooperation in defence research and joint production.”
Assistance and capacity building:
India has offered lines of credit (LoCs) to Vietnam for a variety of projects.
Vietnamese students can receive financial aid through initiatives like ITEC, GCSS, EEP, and MGCSS for their training and education in India.
The nations also work together on projects related to human resource development, healthcare, and agriculture.
People-to-Individual Exchanges:
Cultural and interpersonal encounters are essential for improving bilateral ties.
The establishment of cultural centres, the planning of cultural events, and the promotion of tourism by both nations have improved relations between the Vietnamese and Indian populations.
