Cooperation between India and Vietnam in the military sphere has evolved significantly since 1975. Here is an overview of their military cooperation over the years:
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Post-1975: After the end of the Vietnam War and the reunification of Vietnam in 1975, India was one of the first countries to recognize and establish diplomatic relations with the newly formed Socialist Republic of Vietnam.
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1980s: In the 1980s, India began providing military aid to Vietnam in the form of training, equipment, and infrastructure development. This assistance aimed to strengthen Vietnam's military capabilities and support its defense needs.
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1990s: During the 1990s, India and Vietnam signed several defense agreements to enhance cooperation in areas such as defense industry collaboration, joint exercises, and training programs. These agreements laid the foundation for deeper defense ties between the two countries.
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Strategic Partnership (2007): In 2007, India and Vietnam elevated their bilateral relationship to a "Strategic Partnership." This move signaled the growing importance of defense and security cooperation between the two nations.
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Defense Agreements and Exchanges: India and Vietnam have signed multiple defense agreements, including the Agreement on Cooperation in the Field of Defense (2009) and the Agreement on Cooperation between Navies (2015). These agreements facilitate defense dialogues, exchange of military delegations, and cooperation in areas such as counter-terrorism, cybersecurity, and maritime security.
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Defense Training and Capacity Building: India has been providing training support to the Vietnamese armed forces. Vietnamese military personnel undergo training programs in India, covering areas such as combat operations, peacekeeping, aviation, and naval operations. These programs aim to enhance the professional skills and capabilities of the Vietnamese armed forces.
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Defense Industry Cooperation: India and Vietnam have explored defense industry collaboration, including joint production, technology transfer, and defense research projects. This cooperation aims to promote self-reliance in defense production and strengthen defense industrial capabilities.
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Maritime Cooperation: Given their shared concerns about maritime security, India and Vietnam have focused on enhancing cooperation in maritime domain awareness, joint patrolling, and information sharing. This collaboration seeks to safeguard their respective maritime interests and maintain stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
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Defense Logistics and Infrastructure: In 2018, India and Vietnam signed a bilateral agreement on logistics support and services, enabling their militaries to access each other's facilities for repair, replenishment, and maintenance. This agreement enhances operational efficiency and supports joint military exercises and visits.
Overall, military cooperation between India and Vietnam has progressed steadily over the years, encompassing a wide range of areas such as training, capacity building, defense industry collaboration, and maritime security. The two countries continue to deepen their defense ties in response to shared security challenges and the evolving strategic landscape in the region. |
