Embassy of India

Hanoi, Vietnam

For Vietnamese version, please read here. 

Q 1. What is your impression on Vietnam before taking this position?

A. In India, Vietnam has always been viewed as one of our closest friends and most trusted partners. The people of Vietnam are admired in India for the grit and determination with which they have overcome adversities to build a modern nation, which is today counted among the fastest growing economies in the world.

Buddhist connection and civilizational and cultural contacts between India and Vietnam are well known. Our modern histories have inspired each other, marked by deep empathy for each other’s independence movement and strong bonds of friendship between our founding fathers. President Ho Chi Minh’s visit to India in 1958 is still remembered with warmth by the Indian people.

In modern times, our shared values and interests are increasingly recognized through our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership which covers a wide-range of collaboration. The frequent high-level exchanges between our two countries keep our relationship at the forefront of our respective foreign policies.

As a diplomat, I have always been a keen observer of Vietnam’s increasingly important political and economic role in our shared region. We regard Vietnam as a key pillar of our Act East Policy and an important partner in our Indo-Pacific Vision. I am very confident that the importance of India-Vietnam ties will continue to grow as a factor of peace, stability and development of our region.

Q2. Can you introduce the Indo-Pacific Vision of India? What is Vietnam’s role in it?

A. Our Indo-Pacific Vision, which was articulated in detail by Prime Minister Modi in his speech at the Shangri La Dialogue in June 2018, is premised on the basic recognition of the indivisibility of opportunities and challenges that exist in the Indian and the Pacific Oceans, and the new growth realities that this geographical space represents.

Our Indo-Pacific Vision is for a free, open, peaceful, prosperous and above all, an inclusive region, with rules-based order and respect for sovereignty of nations. As the largest economy in the Indian Ocean and as a country significantly integrated with the Pacific Ocean through trade, India has a natural interest in the peace, stability and development of the Indo-Pacific region.

India views the Indo-Pacific as a positive construct of development and connectivity, in which India can play a unique role by virtue of its geographical location and economic strengths. This vision has an economic focus with emphasis on collective prosperity through collaboration and connectivity.

Most importantly, India’s Indo-Pacific Vision is premised on ASEAN’s centrality, with our ‘Act East Policy’ as its main driver.

We are happy that ASEAN countries have come up with their own Outlook on the Indo-Pacific, which is broadly similar to our Indo-Pacific Vision. Together, they provide a useful roadmap to promote ASEAN-India strategic partnership through regional integration, physical and digital connectivity, and economic cooperation.

As a close partner of India with multifaceted political, economic and security cooperation and as a key link in India’s engagement with ASEAN, Vietnam is clearly an indispensable partner in our Indo-Pacific Vision, based on our shared values and interests in promoting peace, stability and prosperity of our region.

Q3. What is the progress in line of credit packages offered by India to Vietnam in national defence?

A. Defence and security cooperation between India and Vietnam is an important pillar of our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. This includes a robust defence industrial and technological collaboration focusing at defence modernization and capacity building.

To this end, a concessional Line of Credit of US$100 million extended by India is already being utilized for building 12 high speed patrol boats for Vietnam’s Border Guard Force.

During the visit of Prime Minister Modi to Vietnam in 2016, India committed to extending another US$500 million of concessional defence Line of Credit to Vietnam. This is currently being finalized by the two sides by identifying specific projects to cater to Vietnam’s own requirements.

An important feature of this defence industrial partnership is to strengthen Vietnam’s defence manufacturing. For example, out of the 12 high speed patrol boats for Vietnam’s Border Guard Force being built under the Indian Line of Credit, 7 will be manufactured in Vietnam.

Q4. What is the upcoming plan for India and Vietnam in oil drilling cooperation?

A. Our energy cooperation with Vietnam is a long-standing partnership and is based on long-term investments. Our company ONGC Videsh has presence in Vietnam for nearly three decades. It is a mutually beneficial cooperation and is important for India’s energy security. We will remain engaged with Vietnam in this important sector.

Q5. What is your evaluation on the intrusion of Chinese vessels into Vietnam’ water in the South China Sea and their presence there for more than three months?

A. India’s position on the South China Sea issue is clear and consistent and has been articulated on several occasions in the past.

South China Sea is an important international waterway. India, therefore, has an abiding interest in the peace and stability of the region. India firmly stands for the freedom of navigation and overflight, and unimpeded lawful commerce, in the international waters in accordance with international laws, notably the UNCLOS. India also believes that any differences must be resolved peacefully by respecting legal and diplomatic processes and without resorting to threat or use of force.

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