Key Agreements Between India and Vietnam Signed during Presidential State Visit

Key Agreements Between India and Vietnam Signed during Presidential State Visit
President Pranab Mukerhjee arrived in Vietnam recently for a 4 day state visit. Duing this visit, India and China signed agreements pertaining to oil exploration and air connectivity. The President also visited the historic city of Ho Chi Minh on what is counted as the 40th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries.

Mukherjee was received at the Noi Bai International Airport by the Vietnamese Vice Minister for foreign affairs as well as the chairman of the President's office Dao Viet Trung. The President was received and given a guard of honour welcome. The President met the President Truong Tan Sang and the Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung. Prior to the commencement of the state visit, the president also indicated that key areas of cooperation between the 2 nations are security and defence.

During the Presidential visit, key agreements were signed between OVL (ONGC Videsh Limited) and Petro Vietnam for joint oil exploration in the South China Sea. Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan was also part of the president's delegation during this state visit. Chinese President Xi Jinping will be visiting India from September 17, so this Presidential visit is also important from that point of view. India's joint oil exploration with Vietnam has created unease among the Chinese. Pacific conflicts between Asian nations remain an issue which is as of yet unresolved.

The President also gifted the Vietnamese a holy “Bodhi” tree from India. Indian government and that of Vietnam inked 7 pacts in toto. The pact to enhance cooperation in the strategic and key oil sector was an especially important pact. The two countries emphasised the need for “freedom” of navigation in the South China sea. This is an issue which is likely to be raised during the Chinese premier's visit to India.

Both the nations have also made the decision to "strengthen and deepen bilateral cooperation on the basis of the strategic partnership with focus on political, defence and security cooperation, economic cooperation, science and technology, culture and people-to-people links, technical cooperation and multilateral and regional cooperation."

The 2 countries which established strategic ties in the year 2007, indicated that navigation in the disputed waters of the South China sea should not be impeded. Specifically, "The leaders reiterated their desire and determination to work together to maintain peace, stability, growth and prosperity in Asia. They agreed that freedom of navigation in the East Sea/South China Sea should not be impeded and called the parties concerned to exercise restraint, avoid threat or use of force and resolve disputes through peaceful means in accordance with universally recognised principles of international law, including the UNCLOS-1982," as per a joint communique issued after the meeting.