India, Vietnam focus on peace and prosperity for Indo-Pacific region, sign seven agreements

India and Vietnam on Monday reinforced their focus on developing a strong Indo-Pacific region and working together in the UN Security Council as non-permanent members following Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Vietnamese counterpart Nguyen Xuan Phuc's virtual summit. The summit took aim at common neighbour China for heralding uncertainty in the region due to its muscular stance in the South China Sea and the Indian Ocean.

Addressing the virtual summit Modi said: "Peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region is our common aim. Our cooperation can make an important contribution in maintaining peace and stability in the region." He added that with the summit, they will be able to unveil their Plan of Action for the Joint Vision Document 2021-2023.

The Indian Prime Minister said that Vietnam is an important partner in India's Indo-Pacific vision therefore India looks at its ties with Vietnam with a long-term and strategic perspective. Modi said: "Vietnam is an important pillar of India's Act East policy," wherein he highlighted that the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) between the two countries has expanded under India's Act East policy.

The two nations had signed the CSP in September 2016 during Modi's visit to Hanoi. Since then defence and security cooperation has seen a major expansion. India has extended the Defence Line of Credit worth $600 million to Vietnam for building its defence capacities.

Modi added that the summit will also give an opportunity to discuss their common issues at the regional and international level. "Next year, we both will collectively participate as members of the United Nations Security Council and that is why our cooperation at a global stage is important," Modi stressed.

Just last month Defence Minister Rajnath Singh signed the Hydrographic cooperation agreement with his Vietnamese counterpart General Ngo Xuan Lich. This allows the two to share hydrographic data and assist them in the production of navigational charts.

Modi added in his speech that the two nations have signed seven important agreements on security, petrochemicals, renewable energy, cancer treatment, among others.

https://indianarrative.com/world/with-china-as-factor-defence-deals-buttress-india-vietnam-strategic-ties-34060.html.