India, Vietnam going in the right direction

India-Vietnam relations have prospered through good times and bad, and now look like assuming a geopolitical character. This contrasts with Hanoi’s ties with Beijing, the non-viability of which became apparent even when both countries flew the socialist flag. Indeed, in the late 1970s, the Chinese Army invaded Vietnam to the south and had to retreat after getting a bloody nose.

This burnished socialist Hanoi’s credentials as an independent-minded entity that had sent packing the French and the American “imperialist” armies and subsequently socialists with hegemonist or expansionist designs. It is this aspect of the Vietnam-China equation that made it natural for Hanoi to expand ties with India, the only other continental Asian power which was on the rise. At the same time Hanoi also cultivated its relationship with the United States and the latter’s allies in the Far East.

The recent visit of Vietnam Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung to New Delhi embraces this historical context and sends out the signal that the two parties are cautious but not afraid to push their defence as well as energy ties in spite of Beijing’s muscle-flexing in the South China Sea and its constant reminders to Hanoi and New Delhi that it is not pleased about the growing relationship, a great part of which is oil exploration by India in Vietnamese waters. The Narendra Modi government has continued with the Manmohan administration’s policy in relation to Vietnam. During the Vietnam PM’s visit it also offered to operationalise a $100 million line of credit to Hanoi to equip it with naval patrol boats from India.

Indeed, the Indian leader noted, “Our defence cooperation with Vietnam is among our most important ones. India remains committed to the modernisation of Vietnam’s defence and security forces.” Hanoi has offered ONGC Videsh Ltd two further blocks for hydrocarbons exploration. It may be recalled that President Pranab Mukherjee had visited Vietnam just before Chinese President Xi Jinping was in India in September. Much of the problem involving China arises on account of Beijing laying claim to virtually all of the South China Sea, which has hydrocarbon reserves and rich fishing grounds. In respect of the Spratly Islands (Beijing’s name Nansha Islands), China has a dispute with Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Brunei. China maintains its extensive claim line although its shoreline is further from the Spratlys than any of the other countries with claims to it.

The reasoned Indian stance has been that any disputes must be resolved in accordance with international law and while ensuring that maritime lanes are kept free and tranquil for commerce. But China has seemed bullish to most about its claims. Of late Vietnam and India have also entered into a trilateral grouping with Japan to safeguard their interests against hegemonic attitudes.