The visit of Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh to India marks a significant milestone in the bilateral relations between the two countries. This visit emphasizes the importance of civilizational roots and geopolitical interests in cementing the ties between New Delhi and Hanoi.
Economic and Strategic Cooperation
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's three-day visit to India focuses on deepening economic and defense ties. Elevated to a 'Comprehensive Strategic Partnership' during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Vietnam in 2016, both nations are committed to enhancing their relationship. Investments and cooperation in sectors such as electronics, telecommunications, pharmaceuticals, clean energy, and the digital economy are likely to take prominence during this visit.
Defense Collaboration
A key highlight of PM Pham Minh Chinh’s visit is the engagement in the defense sector. In 2023, India demonstrated its commitment to deepening defense ties by gifting a fully operational warship, the missile corvette INS Kirpan, to the Vietnam People’s Navy. In 2022, India’s Defense Minister Rajnath Singh visited Vietnam to hand over 12 high-speed guard boats built with Indian assistance. This visit may also finalize talks on the acquisition of Indian BrahMos missiles and explore the possibilities of acquiring India's Akash surface-to-air missile system.
Historical and Cultural Ties
The deepening engagement between India and Vietnam is underpinned by a shared civilizational ethos and cultural connections. Ancient texts mention Jambudvipa, or Bharatvarsha, which encompassed parts of East Asia, including Vietnam, known as Champadesh. The region has historic temples dedicated to Hindu deities, reflecting the cultural and religious linkages between the two countries.
People-to-People Relationships
The mutual trust between India and Vietnam is further solidified through people-to-people relationships. The Mariamman Temple in Ho Chi Minh City, built by a member of the Tamil community in the 1880s, stands as a testament to the strong cultural ties. The temple, dedicated to the Mariamman Goddess, attracts worshippers from various ethnicities, including Chinese, Khmer, Vietnamese, and Indian.
Strategic Partnerships in a Changing World Order
In a changing world order, it is crucial for nations to reorganize themselves, prioritizing multipolarity to counter expansionist ambitions. India advocates for a safe, secure, prosperous, and rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific region. Strategic partnerships and groupings between like-minded powers, such as India and Vietnam, may hold the key to lasting peace and security.
Future Prospects
As the partnership between India and Vietnam deepens, both countries may find great value in commissioning studies to further explore shared historical practices. Highlighting these connections in mainstream channels can enhance people-to-people ties and deepen mutual trust. With the significance of this visit, it is anticipated that Prime Minister Modi may reciprocate with a visit to Vietnam in the near future, further solidifying the relationship between the two nations
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