In the presence of the two Defense Ministers, India and Vietnam signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on mutual logistics support on Wednesday during Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s visit to the Southeast Asian nation.
“The Defence Ministers signed the ‘Joint Vision Statement on India-Vietnam Defense Partnership towards 2030,’ which will significantly expand the scope and scale of existing defense cooperation,” according to a statement from the Defense Ministry.
A big step towards increased cooperation between India and Vietnam
“In these times of increased cooperation engagements between the two nations’ defence forces,” the statement stated, “this is a big step toward streamlining processes for mutually advantageous logistic support and is the first such large agreement that Vietnam has signed with any country.”
Mr. Singh tweeted following his meeting with his Vietnamese colleague, “Had a fantastic discussion with General Phan Van Giang.” “We discussed a wide range of topics, including effective and practical approaches to expand bilateral defence relations as well as regional and global concerns.”
Mr. Singh went on to say that “our strong defence and security cooperation is a vital source of stability in the Indo-Pacific region.”
India has inked logistics agreements with Quad countries, France, Singapore, & South Korea
Beginning with the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement with the United States in 2016, India has inked several logistics agreements with all Quad countries, France, Singapore, and South Korea.
Logistics agreements are administrative arrangements that facilitate access to military facilities for the exchange of fuel and provisions on mutual consent, hence simplifying logistical support and boosting the military’s operational turnaround when deployed outside of India.
Both Ministers also agreed to complete the $US 500 million Defense Line of Credit extended to Vietnam as soon as possible. Mr. Singh also announced the gift of two simulators and a monetary grant for the establishment of a Language and IT Lab at the Air Force Officers Training School to help the Vietnamese armed forces build capacity. Mr. Singh started his official tour by paying his homage to late President Ho Chi Minh at his Hanoi Mausoleum.
Since 2016, India and Vietnam have had a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, with defense cooperation as a crucial pillar. According to the statement, Vietnam is a key partner in India’s Act East policy and Indo-Pacific vision.
Defense policy talks, military-to-military exchanges, high-level visits, capacity building and training programs, collaboration in UN peacekeeping, ship visits, and bilateral exercises have all become part of bilateral defense interactions over time.