India joined forces with Vietnam to release a Joint Vision for Peace, Prosperity and People today, during the bilateral summit between Prime Minister Narendera Modi and his Vietnamese counterpart Nguyen Xuan Phuc. The document charts the direction of the bilateral through 2021-23 and encompasses all areas of conergence, from military and the shared outlook on the India Pacific to development, climate change and culture.
Vietnam, Modi said, is an important pillar in India's Act East policy. The leaders agreed that enhanced military and security cooperation will be an important factor in the stability of the Indo-Pacific region and decided to step up military exchanges, and defence industry collaboration, building on the two defence lines of credit that India has extended to Vietnam. The focus of the globe has shifted to the new theatre, the Indo-Pacific, and India's vision on the Indo-Pacific is around the centrality of the ASEAN. With Vietnam an ASEAN member and an upcoming economy, there is a new energy in the bilateral. Given that both countries are dealing with Chinese territorial aggression, the convergence on regional and geo-political views falls in place.
The joint document talks on the need for maintaining peace, stability, security and freedom on navigation and overflight in the South China Sea and pursue peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance with United Nations Convention on Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). They also spoke on the need to foster practical cooperation between India and ASEAN. There is a large convergence between the ASEAN Outlook on Indo-Pacific and India's Indo Pacific Oceans Initiative, which can allow for new explorations for joint capacities in blue economy, maritime security and sustainable use of marine resources.
The two leaders inked seven pacts. This included an agreement for an Indian grant assistance of USD 5 million for an Army Software Park at the National Software Communications University, Nha Trang as well as one to promote knowledge and best practices in the solar power industries of the two nations. There were also deals on collaboration in nuclear medicine, petroleum research and nuclear safety and radiation protection.
India remotely handed over a High Speed Guard Boat, which was manufactured under a previous USD 100 million line of credit from India to Vietnam. Two more such boats were launched and the keel laying of seven more was done. India also handed over seven development projects, under a USD 1.5 million grant in aid assistance in Ninh Thuan province and announced three new heritage conservation projects in ancient temples in Vietnam. The Archaeological Survey of India is already restoring several temples in Vietnam. They also launched a project for preparing an encyclopedia on India-Vietnam civilisational and cultural relations.Â
