January 13, 2021: India and Vietnam concluded the 13th Defence Security Dialogue on January 12, 2021. India’s Defence Secretary Dr Ajay Kumar co-chaired Defence Security Dialogue along with his Vietnamese co-chair Sr Lt Gen Nguyen Chi Vinh, Deputy Defence Minister, Socialist Republic of Vietnam
“Co-chaired India-Vietnam Defence Dialogue with Sr. Lt Gen Nguyen Chi Vinh Dy Min Defence, Vietnam. Very strong defence relationship between two trusted partners further strengthened. Opened doors for greater def industry collab,” tweeted Dr Ajay Kumar.
The dialogue was conducted virtually this year due to COVID-19. The Defence Secretary and the Deputy Defence Minister expressed satisfaction at the ongoing defence cooperation between the two countries in spite of the limitations imposed by COVID 19. Both leaders discussed new areas of defence cooperation and expressed satisfaction at the growing defence ties between the two countries. They also reviewed the progress on various bilateral defence cooperation initiatives and expressed commitment to further elevate engagements between the Armed Forces under the framework of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. They expressed views on the ‘Joint Vision for Peace, Prosperity and People’ during the recently concluded Virtual Summit between Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam H.E. Nguyen Xuan Phuc in December 2020.
After establishing bilateral relations in 1972, India and Vietnam have maintained friendly relations. India also accorded Most Favoured Nation status to Vietnam in 1975 and signed bilateral trade agreement in 1978.
India and Vietnam hold regular bilateral summits at various levels and this year it was held virtually in December 2020. Leaders of both countries released Joint Vision for Peace, Prosperity and People’ during the summit. The leaders also discussed a Plan of Action for the period 2021-2023 to implement the Joint Vision.
India has extended multiple development aids to Vietnam including a US$ 100 million Defence Line of Credit to Vietnam. Vietnam also completed construction of seven development projects with Indian ‘Grant-in-Aid’ Assistance for the benefit of the local community in Vietnam’s Ninh Thuan province.
