India and  Vietnam are in talks for the export of Akash advanced air defence system

Vietnam has emerged as a critical strategic partner for India in the ASEAN region. Since the establishment of Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2016, bilateral ties have witnessed significant growth. Vietnam’s ambassador to India, Pham Sanh Chau, spoke to Rudroneel Ghosh about the way ahead:

How would you describe President Ram Nath Kovind’s visit to Vietnam last November?

President Kovind’s visit was a great success in many ways. This was his first visit to Vietnam as President of India and was reciprocal to the two visits that Vietnam’s Prime Minister and President made to India last year. President Kovind also became the second foreign head of state to address the National Assembly of Vietnam. Apart from this, he also presided over a huge Indian-Vietnamese business forum and met the Indian diaspora in Vietnam. He also visited the famous My Son sanctuary which bears influences of Indian culture with Hindu temples and monuments. More substantively, his visit saw a joint communique being issued, which illustrated the positions of the two sides on a wide range of topics concerning the strengthening of the bilateral relationship and other subjects of mutual interest.

Why is there delay in signing the framework agreement to operationalise India’s $500 million line of credit to Vietnam for defence cooperation?

I have to stress that cooperation in defence is one of the most important areas of our bilateral cooperation. That’s why we term our relationship as a comprehensive strategic partnership. We are working very closely in defence from training and joint exercise to purchase of equipment. The $500 million credit line is highly appreciated by Vietnam. However, such huge projects take time for implementation because we need to have internal consultations with different agencies. There are lengthy bureaucratic processes. This is normal. But the credit line will be implemented and will help deepen the military and political trust between our two countries.

Given China’s activities in the South China Sea, how does Vietnam perceive the Quad grouping of India, US, Japan and Australia?

Within ASEAN we are working on a non-paper proposed by Indonesia on the grouping’s position on the Quad. As far as Vietnam is concerned, we are in the process of following the situation. Our principled position is we welcome all countries inside and outside the region who wish to make a positive contribution to peace and security in the region, especially with regard to freedom of navigation and over-flight. We are living in a globalised world and peace and security are shared responsibilities among all countries, regardless of whether they are outside or inside the region.

In the context of the ongoing US-China trade war, many companies are looking to shift their operations to Vietnam. Can India learn from the Vietnamese experience?

I cannot speak for India, but Vietnam’s economic success is due to multiple factors. First is the strong determination of the party, state and people. Second is the dynamism of our companies. Third is our government’s effort to provide a stable macroeconomic environment which includes preventing high inflation, controlling the level of foreign debt, ensuring that our deficit is manageable and, most importantly, releasing all the energies of the private sector. The motto of our current government is to create an enabling environment – less bureaucracy and high ease of doing business.

India-Vietnam trade has been steadily growing, but people-to-people interactions remain limited. How can this be changed?

Let me correct you a little bit. People-to-people interactions between our two countries are already there but without the acknowledgement of authorities. I have witnessed many chartered flights carrying Vietnamese pilgrims to Bodh Gaya. Thus, many Vietnamese visit India without our embassy knowing about it. So spiritual tourism to India is a growing trend among Vietnamese people. Delegations of Vietnamese students and scholars are also visiting India regularly. All of this needs more visibility and needs to be supplemented further. Similarly, we want more Indians to visit Vietnam. You must know some Indians are now looking at Vietnam as a destination for weddings. But of course we want more interactions and I am trying to get more Vietnamese students to study in India.

You are a proponent of cultural diplomacy. How can this be applied to the India-Vietnam context?

I want to raise more awareness about India among Vietnamese people and correct the misconceptions about India, thanks to Western media. There is so much to see and experience in India that Vietnamese people don’t know about. I want to highlight the best things that India has to offer. Secondly, I of course want Indian people to get a proper understanding about Vietnam today. So we are going to different Indian states to promote Vietnam, organising university lecture series and meeting Indian business people to help them do their operations in Vietnam. India is so huge and there is so much to do here.