Indo-Vietnam Strategic Ties

14 Aug, 2000    ·   403

Wg Cdr NK Pant enumerates the political and military advantages for India in an enhanced strategic relationship with Vietnam
Wg.Cdr. NK Pant (Retd.)
A goodwill visit to SE Asian nations by Indian naval ships, including a Kilo class submarine, have been planned in the coming months during which exercises will be held in the South China Sea together with the Vietnamese naval vessels. Vietnam and India share close cultural affinity and  have been firming up their friendly ties. Though India won its freedom through non-violence, Vietnam earned it by militarily humiliating its French colonial masters on the battlefield in 1954. Later, in 1975, it was able to unify the country by defeating the South Vietnamese forces and their mighty US allies after a long and savage guerrilla war. 

 

 

Since the mid seventies, Hanoi and Beijing have clashed over their overlapping claims in the Spratly Islands which are the centre of a potentially explosive regional dispute involving Philippines , Malaysia and Brunei . In 1988, the Chinese occupied six islands in the Spratlys group and inflicted heavy losses on the Vietnam People’s Navy destroying two patrol boats and killing 80 sailors. Though Beijing and Hanoi are overtly making diplomatic efforts in resolving the misunderstandings, Vietnamese clearly regard the Spratlys as the most likely location of any future conflict. 

 

 

Vietnam has been concentrating on healing the devastation of war by economic betterment of its 80 million people. The past fifty years was a time to construct, fight and develop combat experience particularly in the field of jungle and guerrilla war tactics; these are worth emulating by the Indian army now enmeshed in tackling internal insurgencies in Kashmir and the north-east. 

 

 

Vietnam became full fledged member of the ASEAN group in 1995 and subsequently  normalised its trade and diplomatic relations with the United States . Vietnam is making great strides towards a free market economy. The prospects of commercially exploitable oil and natural gas discoveries onshore and offshore hold out a bright economic future for the nation. India is also engaged in the search for oil fields in Vietnam , which has also shown an eagerness to boost its military ties with New Delhi . 

 

 

India is in a position to provide military assistance to China’s estranged southern neighbour in the same manner as Beijing , has been bolstering Pakistan’s defence, nuclear and military-industrial potential to contain New Delhi. Though the protocol on defence co-operation with Hanoi was initialled by the former Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao way back in 1994, the Agreement arrived at during the March,2000 visit by Defence Minister George Fernandes promises to expand its scope and provide an impetus to defence co-operation between the two countries. 

 

 

The present Agreement institutionalises a framework for periodical dialogue between the defence ministers of the two countries, besides visits by the top military brass, regular exchange of security perceptions and intelligence inputs. It also includes co-operation between the Indian Coast Guard and the Vietnamese Sea Police in combating the growing menace of piracy in the eastern seas. India will also assist Vietnam in repair, up-gradation and building of warships and patrol craft. While the Indian army will explore possibilities of drawing upon the expertise of the Vietnam People’s Army in jungle warfare and guerrilla tactics, India will train technical manpower of Vietnam ’s navy, sea police and air force personnel, besides providing flying training to its air force pilots. 

 

 

In combating  internal insurgencies, India has much to learn from Vietnam ’s  “People’s War” concept to fight bigger and stronger forces with smaller and weaker ones by using solidarity, sympathy and support of the people. Moreover, the Indian defence public sector undertakings and ordnance factories will be substantial gainers from the defence co-operation agreement, if they deliver reasonably priced quality hardware to the Vietnamese armed forces, and stick to delivery deadlines. 

 

 

The military equipment being used by the Vietnamese forces is mostly of Soviet origin, and needs replacement. Resources permitting, Hanoi is likely to embark upon a fairly large-scale modernisation programme for its armed forces and India must cash on this opportunity as a major supplier of indigenously produced military equipment. Vietnam has plans to upgrade its 125 odd MiG-21s and Hindustan Aeronautics can undertake this  task. Vietnam ’s People’s Air Force is also interested in our Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) which is yet to see the light of the day. All said and done, close military co-operation between the two countries has vital strategic gains for India , and needs to be followed up vigorously. 

 

 

 

POPULAR COMMENTARIES